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.

Bulk Reef Supply Citric Acid Shop Citric Acid

Citric acid is one of the easiest ways to remove coralline algae, calcium buildup, and stubborn grime from pumps and submerged aquarium equipment. Mixed with water, citric acid cleaning solution loosens buildup fast and makes routine maintenance a whole lot easier.

Here's What You'll Need

  • Citric Acid
  • Bucket
  • Cleaning Brushes
  • 1 Gallon of RO/DI Water to make solution
  • 1+ Gallons of RO/DI Water for rinsing
  • Towels
Step 1 - Unplug Pumps
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.

Taking your time here also helps prevent built-up debris, algae, and waste from spreading back into the tank and clouding the water.

Step 2 - Soak Pumps
Step 2

Soak in a Citric Acid Solution

Mix a cleaning solution using 1 cup of citric acid per gallon of water. Submerge the pump in the solution to soak for 30-60 minutes.

  • Active Soak: If possible and when its safe, plug the pump in and let it run while soaking in a seperate container of 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 and let it rest.

    If the pump or piece of equipment is too big to operate in your solution, do not worry because a passive soak will have the same effect. As long as the solution is in direct contact with the calcified areas. 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 and Rinse Pumps
Step 3

Scrub, Rinse, and Repeat if Needed

Once the soak is complete, disassemble the pump by removing the impeller and drive shaft if applicable. 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 in place, avoid forcing it with aggressive scrubbing. Instead, place the parts back into the citric acid solution for another 15 to 20 minutes and repeat the process.

After everything is clean, rinse all parts thoroughly with RO/DI water before assembling and placing back in your aquarium. A thorough rinse is critical to stop any of the solution getting into your aquarium.

Tips For Success

Sound maintenance habits will make pump cleaning faster, safer, and even result in extended equipment lifespan.

Best Practices

  • Clean pumps early 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
  • Use a spray bottle for spot cleaning and let it sit before wiping
  • Keep extra citric acid on hand so you do not delay maintenance

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

Citric Acid FAQ

BRStv Tank Tips

Our beloved host Matthew shares his best advice and answers to your most common questions.

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.

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