Whats the safest/easiest way?

[dynasty187]

The tubing for my filter is getting build up and I'm looking for a safe and easy way to clean it. Can I use a small amount of bleach with water?

thanks

[OldMan47]

If it is a smooth tube and not too long, try a bottle brush. My latest filter came with a nice long one to fit in the rigid tubing. For longer tubes that are smooth, tie a string to a washer that will go easily through the tube and drop it through. Then tie a cloth to the other end of the string and pull it through to swab out the tube. If its not too bad, a few passes will get it pretty clean. For a corrugated tube, I have no idea how to clean it. I would hesitate to use bleach because it is basically chlorine (sodium hypochlorite), that stuff we work so hard to keep out of our tanks.

[NeonFlux]

I wouldn't use the bleach :D

[TwoTankAmin]

I have been bleaching my hoses for years with no ill effects. There are two ways you can do it. One is to pour the bleach solution into one end while holding the other end at the same level. then just let it sit for some time. the other, which I use, is yo get a bucket with bleach solution in it and hook up the hose to a small hobby size pump and let it blow the solution through the hose. The latter method works faster.

When you are done bleaching it is important to rinse every thing very well. Bleach will normally evaporate but when its inside a hose, it may not- so rinse well. If you want to be extra safe, mix some dechlor with water and rinse the hoses with it.