Sump tubing is gross!

This might seem like a really stupid and obvious question, but I'm not sure, so I thought I would ask all you smart people....

The tubing going to and from my sump is starting to grow algae in it and it's gross. Eventually, won't it get so full of algae that the water won't flow through very efficiently? If this is the case, how do I clean it? Do I have to take everything apart? Because that's going to be a super pain....

 

Maybe wrap elect tape around the tube to prevent light from entering?.. I believe light will inhibit algae growth.

 

do you have a fuge?... IMO you could try wrapping the tube in electical tape to block out any light so the algae will just die off and not grow back

 

Thanks, those are good ideas. But, if the tubing has tape over it, I won't be able to see in the tube....seems like maybe I would need to? I don't know. But the tape would definitely help.

Oh, and no fuge.

 

This will happen if you use transparent tubing. Black tubing or white PVC is best. Yes, the algae buildup will grow and slow the flow.

 

Tubing is not expensive...You can buy black tubing, and that will cure it.

 

Over time the tubes will get built up crud in them even if you block out the light. To clean them I use part of my gun cleaning kit. Its a long fliexible rod that adjusts in length with a brush attached to the end. You can pick up an entire kit at wal mart with about 6 ft total length of flexible rod and various brush tips for around $20.

 

Hmmm maybe I'll go buy some black tubing. I didn't think about this. I thought it would be important to see in the tubing...so I went with clear. Ugh, this will be a pain!

 

Maybe even insulated foam wrapping. That way you could remove it to see the tube for whatever reason..??

 

Oh, I didn't think about that! It's like a long, flexible bottle brush? That's a great idea! I'll start with one of those, instead of replacing all the tubing.