3 Easy Steps to Clean Your Pumps Using Bulk Reef Supply Citric Acid
Make cleaning pumps, powerheads, and aquarium equipment faster and easier with BRS Citric Acid. When mixed with RO/DI water, it creates a powerful cleaning solution that breaks down coralline algae, calcium buildup, and stubborn grime without harsh scrubbing.
Safe for regular maintenance and gentle on seals and components, citric acid helps restore performance, improve flow, and extend the life of your equipment with minimal effort.
The best part, citric acid is easy to use and does most of the work for you. The dry material is simply mixed at the correct ratio into RO/DI water. The result is an acidic solution that loosens even the most stubborn build-up.
Penetrates
Citric acid seeps into tiny cracks and porous buildup.
Reacts
It chemically dissolves calcium deposits, not just loosens them.
Releases
Buildup softens, breaks apart, and rinses away clean.
Citric acid is one of the easiest ways to clean pumps, used aquariums and other submerged aquarium equipment without a ton of elbow grease.
Here's What You'll Need
Step 1 Unplug and Remove the Pump
Start by unplugging the pump before removing it from the aquarium. This is an important first step because running a pump dry can quickly damage internal components. Carefully lift the pump out and place it into a separate container for cleaning.
Be gentle, because aggression here will only stir up debris and cloud your aquarium water.
Step 2 Soak in a Citric Acid Solution
Mix a cleaning solution using 1 cup of dry citric acid per 1 gallon of RO/DI water. Submerge the pump in the solution to soak for 30-60 minutes.
- Active Soak: If possible and when its safe, plug in the pump while its soaking in the cleaning solution. This forces the citric acid to circulate through the pump and loosen buildup inside and out.
- Passive Soak: Simply submerge the item directly into the solution for up to 60 minutes.
- Either way, as long as the solution is in direct contact with the encrusted areas, it will work.
- For large items like used tanks or protein skimmers, consider using a spray bottle to apply solution over a larger area and let it soak.
Step 3 Scrub, Rinse, and Repeat if Needed
After soaking, carefully disassemble the pump. Scrub it clean & rinse thoroughly. Careful not to lose small impeller bushings, o-rings or screws.
- Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away loosened residue from the housing, impeller, and other hard-to-reach surfaces.
- If buildup is still stuck, don't force it, it just needs a longer soak. Back into the citric acid solution for another 15 to 20 minutes and repeat the process as needed.
- After everything is clean, rinse all parts thoroughly with RO/DI water before assembly.
Tips For Success
Sound maintenance habits will make pump cleaning faster, safer, and even result in extended equipment lifespan.
Best Practices
- Clean pumps regularly, long before buildup reduces flow or causes failure.
- Let the soak do the heavy lifting before scrubbing.
- Run the pump in the solution to clean internal parts faster.
- Use a large container so the entire pump can be fully submerged.
- Rinse thoroughly in pure RO/DI water before placing equipment back in your aquarium.
- Keep extra citric acid on hand so you do not procrastinate.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
- Monitor your system after reinstalling since flow may increase.
- Clean overflow and plumbing to match restored pump output.
- Keep a backup pump to avoid downtime during cleaning.
- Citric acid is safe for most equipment, but do not soak live rock.
- Citric acid is generally preferred over vinegar for routine use.
- Never add citric acid directly to your aquarium or ingest it.
BRStv Tank Tips
Got questions? Matthew’s got answers, along with his best advice for keeping your pumps in tip-top shape.
Citric Acid FAQ
How do I clean my aquarium with citric acid?
Never add citric acid directly to your aquarium water. A citric acid solution should only be used to clean an empty aquarium, pumps, and other gear in a separate container.
For general cleaning, mix 1 cup of dry citric acid with 1 gallon of fresh RO/DI water. Rather than filling an entire aquarium with solution, it is usually easier to mix a gallon or two, soak paper towels in the solution, and lay them against the glass or surfaces you want to clean. Let it sit for a few minutes, scrub as needed, then rinse thoroughly and allow everything to dry before use.
How do you clean aquarium pumps and gear?
Use the same citric acid solution ratio of 1 cup of citric acid per 1 gallon of fresh RO/DI water. Soak for an hour, scrub it and rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
How often should you clean your aquarium pumps?
A dirty pump can slow flow rates significantly and place extra stress on the motor, especially when calcium buildup and coralline algae are left to accumulate.
- Shallow Clean: Perform a quick soak and scrub of visible powerheads and return nozzles about once a month.
- Deep Clean: Fully disassemble and clean pumps, impellers, volutes, and other filtration equipment at least 1 to 2 times per year.
Routine cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain flow, reduce wear, and help pumps last longer.
How long can I soak my pump in Citric Acid?
Generally speaking it is safe to soak plastic, ceramic, corrosion-resistant metal & rubber material for up to 24 hours.
That said, most eqiupment will not take that long. Your typical soak times as follows:- Light buildup: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Moderate buildup: 1–3 hours
- Heavy buildup: 3–6 hoursli>
Is citric acid better than vinegar?
Many hobbyists now prefer citric acid for cleaning aquarium equipment. While white vinegar has long been used successfully, some reef keepers have reported that vinegar may be harder on impeller magnets, epoxy, rubber seals, or gaskets over time.
| Cleaning Solution | Mix Ratio | Approx. Concentration | Approx. pH | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citric Acid Solution | 1 cup citric acid per 1 gallon RO/DI water | ~6% w/v ~60 g/L |
~2.0 to 2.4 | Strong at dissolving calcium buildup and coralline algae. Commonly preferred for aquarium equipment cleaning. Fairly nuetral odor. |
| Pure White Vinegar | Used straight from the bottle | ~5% acetic acid | ~2.4 to 2.6 | Also effective for mineral deposits, but many hobbyists prefer citric acid for routine pump and equipment maintenance. Can smell unpleasant. |
How much does citric acid cost?
A quart of citric acid costs $13.99 and can make multiple gallons of cleaning solution, which works out to less than $4 per cleaning when using one gallon of RO/DI water per cleaning.
| Product | Retail Price | Gallons of Cleaning Solution | Cost Per Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 oz BRS Citric Acid | $13.99 | 4 gallons | $3.50 |
| 64 oz BRS Citric Acid | $27.99 | 8 gallons | $3.50 |
| 128 oz BRS Citric Acid | $55.99 | 16 gallons | $3.50 |
| White Vinegar 64 fl oz | $2.25 | 0.5 gallon | $4.50 |
Adam has been reef keeping since 2010 and got his start on the Bulk Reef Supply Customer Service team. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending. Adam is especially interested in simplifying the hobby, exploring the latest gear, and helping others focus on long-term success over chasing perfection.
With over 25 years of experience keeping aquariums of all kinds, Robert has a detailed understanding of advanced aquarium techniques and theory. Working as a professional content creator in the saltwater aquarium industry for over 18 years, his perspective, thoughtfulness for the hobbyist, and a general understanding of the hobby, and industry that surrounds it, allows Robert to write and create digestible content that makes reefing fun and easy.
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