Do you clean your pump?

Hello I am getting ready to do my first water change.
Do you disconnect all your pumps to give it a rinse everytime or just once in a while.
Also because i have a sugary sand bed do i siphon the sand bed is in it just gonna siphon the sand right out?

How do you do it?
Thanks

 

I don't usually clean pumps with every water change. Once every 6 months or so I will clean them all out. I have a sugary sand bed too. I wouldn't try to siphon it. That stuff weighs nothing. If you want to clean your sand, look into sand sifting inverts/fish.

 

Hi Marie

pumps - do you mean wave makers or powerheads in the tank for creating flow
if so , then I have 4, and when they seem to be covered in stuff thats when I remove 1 or 2 and immerse in boiling water and clean with a toothbrush (new one , not one someone else still uses LOL)

I have fine grain sand in my reef tank and I just hover the syphon over it and try and avoid getting to much sand whilst getting anything on the sand into the bucket

Steve

 

I dont clean everything with every water change. I dont really have a schedule for cleaning the equipment either....I just do it when they look like they could use a good cleaning...the pumps, powerheads, skimmer...

 

Power heads get a vinegar bath every few months. Take them out and let them soak for a while to melt any calcium build up.

Main pumps I guess it depends on the type of pump but should be cleaned every few months or more if you like. I've always ran externals and take out the impeller for a good cleaning. I designed my plumbing with double ball valve unions so I could easily disconnect the pump for that reason.