How to clean tubing?

jjencek · 11/22/2020, 02:40 AM

I am starting to get some mold in my favorite silicon tubing used for siphoning and overall moving water around. I would prefer to clean it and not throw it away.

What is the best way to clean it? I was thinking bleach followed by water rinse and finally vinegar rinse. Would that work? Is there a recommended method?

Oldreeferman · 11/22/2020, 10:16 AM

When i have that issue i put paper toweling wadded up in it then push it thu it with a long wooden dowel rod after i've ran water thu it & that cleans it squeaky clean.

billdogg · 11/22/2020, 10:25 AM

I've cleaned out my 50' python siphon a few times over the years. First thing I do is run it with bleach - connect a power head to the end, drop it in a bucket, and put the other end in too. Go do something else fro a couple hours. Then I rinse the heck out of it by just hooking it to the sink and letting it run the normal way. That seems to do a pretty good job. If there is still gunk in it, I will run my plumbing snake through it and pull it out with a small amount of old rag tied to the end. Rinse it again in the sink and it looks brand new.

jjencek · 11/22/2020, 08:23 PM

I got the bleach, but never considered a mechanic way. The dowel rod or the plumbing snake is a good idea.

Akrite · 11/22/2020, 11:45 PM

I clean everything with citric acid. Pumps, skimmer, water change tubes and Brute buckets. It’s milder than vinegar but just as effective.

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11/22/2020, 02:40 AM	#1
jjencek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 365	How to clean tubing? I am starting to get some mold in my favorite silicon tubing used for siphoning and overall moving water around. I would prefer to clean it and not throw it away. What is the best way to clean it? I was thinking bleach followed by water rinse and finally vinegar rinse. Would that work? Is there a recommended method?

11/22/2020, 10:16 AM	#2
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 401	When i have that issue i put paper toweling wadded up in it then push it thu it with a long wooden dowel rod after i've ran water thu it & that cleans it squeaky clean. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma, cardinalfish. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

11/22/2020, 10:25 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,716	I've cleaned out my 50' python siphon a few times over the years. First thing I do is run it with bleach - connect a power head to the end, drop it in a bucket, and put the other end in too. Go do something else fro a couple hours. Then I rinse the heck out of it by just hooking it to the sink and letting it run the normal way. That seems to do a pretty good job. If there is still gunk in it, I will run my plumbing snake through it and pull it out with a small amount of old rag tied to the end. Rinse it again in the sink and it looks brand new. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/22/2020, 08:23 PM	#4
jjencek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 365	I got the bleach, but never considered a mechanic way. The dowel rod or the plumbing snake is a good idea.

11/22/2020, 11:45 PM	#5
Akrite Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 633	I clean everything with citric acid. Pumps, skimmer, water change tubes and Brute buckets. It’s milder than vinegar but just as effective. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk