Diffuser Cleaning

[simonm74]

I've got an Up Aqua inline diffuser which I think is dirty/clogged, as the bubble rate dropped alarmingly until I swapped the ceramic for a spare.

Reading around it seems the conventional wisdom is to soak in bleach and then wash with vinegar. The vinegar bit I can understand (dissolves any calcification) but what's the thinking behind the bleach? Is it just to kill algae etc. and if so could I just use boiling water?!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[rebel]

Bleach and vinegar would neutralize each other and produce Chlorine? Etc.

Can you remove just the ceramic bit? If so, boiling water would also be fine I think. I've always used bleach for cleaning diffusers as mine are glass and would probably shatter if I try hot water.

 

[stu_]

Hi
This subject comes up a lot
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/is-this-bleach-okay-to-use-for-cleaning-diffusers.40306/
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/so-which-is-the-better-fluid-for-cleaning-diffusers.39668/
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/calling-up-inline-atomizer-users.33032/
Bleach then dechlorinated water for me.

 

[simonm74]

Thanks, yes I read those posts but I couldn't find what I was looking for, i.e. the rationale behind using bleach in the first place. I thought maybe there was ome chemical reason but I can't find any mention of anything like that so I guess it is for killing algae, diatoms etc.

I'll try boiling water then vinegar as I'm a bit scared of using bleach on anything that's going in my tank (how much rinsing is enough?!)

Yes rebel my diffuser comes apart so I can just boil the ceramic not the whole diffuser - I agree that would be a bad idea!

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

I cleaned mine out today but just used a pipe cleaners and didnt open the atomizer up, was hesitant to open the up aqua unit as I am not that confident that it will seal well again, guess next time around I will open it up as it bound to get clogged up and need a good soaking.

 

[Zeus.]

, i.e. the rationale behind using bleach in the first place.

Denatures the protein helps break up the organic blockage then will rinse away the smaller particles-me thinks

 

[co2supermarket]

We recommend giving it a scrub with a brush and then soak in Sterident solution (used for cleaning dentures / false teeth) overnight - always seems to do a good job.