Cleaning Ceramic Diffuser's

[Rackie]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has a successfull method they have used for cleaning their ceramic diffuser.
I have read a couple of conflicting write ups on methods used and I am a little confused which one to go with.

Some advise a 50/50 mix of water and bleach and to then soak the diffuser for a couple of hours and elsewhere I have read that you only need to soak for a couple of minutes max. I have also read that using vinegar instead of bleach is a better option.....

What is then the best way of removing all the bleach from the diffuser before returning it to the tank. Just want to be 100% that there are no traces of this stuff left on the ceramic plate .

Does soaking the diffuser in bleach/vinegar actually improve the dispursion of bubbles?

Sorry, forgot to mention that I am currently using a Rhinox 2000.

 

[SuperColey1]

When AquaEssentials manages to get them back in stock the ADA cleaning tubs are good from reviews Ive read.

Andy

 

[Themuleous]

I soak mine a bleach and water solution. Start when I start cleaning the tank, then soak it in some water with my normal tap water dechlorinator added (I give it a good squirt), that seems to keep it white and removes the algae. I also find it improves the bubbles, i.e. makes them smaller, more mist like.

Hope that helps

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

I have Rhinox 2000. I clean it every week to ensure max efficiency of bubble production. Clean diffuser = smaller bubbles.

I pour neat bleach into mine, just a few mls. to cover the disc.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Pour another few mls of bleach.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Rinse under running water.

Pour a tiny bit of de-chlorinator on disc.

Rinse.

Done.

Whole process takes just over 10 mins.

 

[Rackie]

I have Rhinox 2000. I clean it every week to ensure max efficiency of bubble production. Clean diffuser = smaller bubbles.

I pour neat bleach into mine, just a few mls. to cover the disc.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Pour another few mls of bleach.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Rinse under running water.

Pour a tiny bit of de-chlorinator on disc.

Rinse.

Done.

Whole process takes just over 10 mins.

10 minute routine........perfect, nothing too labouring

 

[nry]

I soak mine in a weak bleach solution, leave it a day or so, then soak it in a strong dechlorinator solution until the next water change (weekly for me). Been doing this for months with no problems that I am aware of.

 

[Rackie]

What de-chlorinator solution are you folks using and can recommend?

 

[nry]

Currently Tetra AquaSafe.

 

[George Farmer]

I buy stuff for ponds. Far more economical.

It's worth checking if your supplier uses chloramines as some de-chlorinators won't neutralise these.

But if it's purely for bleach then the cheapest stuff will do.

 

[Themuleous]

I use API stress coat, seems to work

Seems that any bleach dip works well

Sam

 

[gt568]

I have Rhinox 2000. I clean it every week to ensure max efficiency of bubble production. Clean diffuser = smaller bubbles.

I pour neat bleach into mine, just a few mls. to cover the disc.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Pour another few mls of bleach.

Wait 5 mins.

Empty.

Rinse under running water.

Pour a tiny bit of de-chlorinator on disc.

Rinse.

Done.

Whole process takes just over 10 mins.

Might be a thick question, but thick bleach or normal bleach? Would it make any differance?

 

[DevUK]

I've read recently of someone who essentially moves his ceramic diffuser up to above the water level as he's syphoning off water, pours some Hydrogen Peroxide onto the disc and then leaves it while he does maintenance. He then just fills the tank and moves the diffuser back into position. It didn't say what he did with the hydrogen peroxide, so I'm assuming he left it in the disc??

Any ideas if this is actually safe?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Adding Excel might do the same thing. H2O2 in low levels is safe in the aquarium, and a lot of people use it in spot treating algae.

Basically, I have two diffusers. One in use, and one cleaned and in standby. I change them over every weekly water change, although my 120l tank diffuser never seems to get algae any more.

To make it even easier, each diffuser has it`s own length of tubing permanently attached. I just disconnect the line at an in line quick attach/detach connector firther down. It saves me breaking diffusers, as it isn`t easy getting the CO2 line off a delicate glass stem.

Dave.

 

[mlawson]

To make it even easier, each diffuser has it`s own length of tubing permanently attached. I just disconnect the line at an in line quick attach/detach connector firther down. It saves me breaking diffusers, as it isn`t easy getting the CO2 line off a delicate glass stem.

Today I broke my diffuser doing just that. I was tugging the tubing quite lightly but it still snapped the glass. It's pretty annoting as it's my only diffuser except for the nutrafin ladders which I don't find paticularly good. I guess it's another order from Aqua essentials.

 

[DevUK]

I'm seriously considering an external reactor or something. As much as the glass diffusers are cool, I'm starting to think the external is just easier all around.