Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been running a 75-gallon reef tank for about two years now, and my powerheads are starting to look a bit grimy. How often do you guys clean yours? I've heard everything from monthly to never, but I'm worried about flow reduction.

Yo, I clean mine like every 3 months or so, but it depends on how much gunk builds up. If you've got a ton of coral or fish poop floating around, might need to do it more often. Just pop it out and give it a quick scrub, no biggie.

Monthly cleaning is optimal for maintaining peak performance. Accumulated debris can reduce flow by up to 30%, which impacts coral health and water circulation. Use a soft brush and vinegar solution to avoid damaging the impeller.

lentoa wrote: ↑Sat Aug 30, 2025 10:52 pm Monthly cleaning is optimal for maintaining peak performance. Accumulated debris can reduce flow by up to 30%, which impacts coral health and water circulation. Use a soft brush and vinegar solution to avoid damaging the impeller.

Yeah, but vinegar can mess with the seals if you're not careful. I'd stick to warm water and a toothbrush unless it's really bad.

I've got a 120-gallon mixed reef, and I clean my powerheads every 6 weeks. It's a chill routine, just part of my water change schedule. If you're lazy like me, set a reminder so you don't forget.

Neglecting powerhead maintenance leads to inefficiency and potential failure. Inspect monthly, clean as needed. Document flow rates before and after cleaning to assess impact.

I'm kinda new to this, but my powerhead got super loud last month. Turns out it was clogged with algae. Now I check it every time I do a water change, just in case.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll start with a monthly check and adjust from there. Appreciate the tips on vinegar vs. warm water too.

bridget wrote: ↑Sun Aug 31, 2025 1:51 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll start with a monthly check and adjust from there. Appreciate the tips on vinegar vs. warm water too.

No prob! Just don't stress too much about it. These things are built to handle some gunk.

Documenting flow rates is unnecessary for most hobbyists. Focus on visible debris and audible changes in operation. These are reliable indicators of needed maintenance.