Cleaning Eheim tubing?

[1cooljeep]

I was working on one of my 3 Eheim 2217 filters this morning on the planted 125, basically routine cleaning of the canister, media, and filters inside. What I noticed was that there is some debris in both the inflow and outflow tubing all along their length. Its not bad, but wasn't there before.

Anyone else have this problem? Sort of surprising to me given the rate of flow through these tubes. Do you just replace the tubing after a certain time, or try to snake them out? Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[dbosman]

Bio film.
It happens on all piping and tubing. Up to a point it actually allows water to flow faster by lowering friction on the tubing. I flush mine with tap water.

Some people soak the tubing in a bleach water solution. Others clean it out with a bottle brush or an aquarium tubing brush. Tie a cord to the end of the brush and a small weight to the other end of the cord. Drop the weight through the tubing and pull the brush through the tube or hose.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

A wood dowel rod (slightly smaller in diameter than the tubing) works very well at pushing ALL of the crud right out of there.

 

[1cooljeep]

Great suggestions. The longest continous tubing run I have is about 4 feet. String, fishing weight, and small cloth should work. Thanks.