Manky pipes!!

[Col1in]

Last week I bit the bullet and cleaned my pipes for the first time, the tank has been running for about 13 months and I could see the pipes were a touch manky inside. Also when I switched my filter off and on a load of 'stuff' would come out the outlet. Anyway it took me the best part of 3 hours to clean the lot and now my tank is looking crystal clear, I should have done it 6 months ago.

Is there any consensus on how often we should clean our pipes?? Its an absolute b***ch of a job.

 

[Tim Harrison]

I tend to do mine once a month, or more if need be. Same with the filter, although that doesn't really get that bad unless I've disturbed the substrate.

 

[Millns84]

There's no rule as it depends on a plethora of factors.

I tend to clean mine every three months or so and even then I think I could get away with leaving them.

My canisters however get cleaned monthly and definitely need it!

 

[Siege]

I use clear hosing, you can see when it needs cleaning. Every 2 weeks maybe.

When reconnecting. Put the outflow in a bucket. Turn filter on, all the crap goes into the bucket.
Close filter outlet, reattach and open valve. Hey presto rubbish in bucket, tank nice and clean!

 

[Barbara Turner]

Put the outflow in a bucket. Turn filter on, all the crap goes into the bucket.
Close filter outlet, reattach and open valve. Hey presto rubbish in bucket, tank nice and clean!

I wedge a 16/22mm pipe in the lily pipe outflow and syphon through half a bucket of water when the tank is filling up, the syphon hose pulls all the air out of the system and any disloged crap.

I clean the the top pipes every couple of weeks.

 

[Geoffrey Rea]

Duplicate pipe work. Switch it out when dirty (varies from tank to tank how long this takes)

Clean the dirty pipe work when it suits you ready for the next switch over.

 

[Lee iley]

Could really do with cleaning mine. Not done them since I got the tank. I do my filter every 2 month.

 

[Col1in]

Wow some of you guys clean them loads! I clean my filters monthly but disconnecting the pipes is tricky... I'm expecting the filters to be squeaky clean next time i look though..