How to clean air valves?

[DiscusnAfricans]

I have some air valves in my PVC system that put out very little air, while others seem to work almost as new.

I bought my valves used from someone tearing down a fishroom, and I know some of them were used for water on a drip system, so some of it may be calcium or hard water deposits. I have both the nickel plated type and the brass type.

What is the best/easiest way to clean them? Would it be better just to replace the clogged ones and/or the ones used for water?

 

[Becca]

I'd imagine vinegar and a pipe-cleaner might work.

 

[jonclark96]

Michael - I've found that sometimes PVC shavings get caught in the valve and slow down flow. I have a plastic coated paperclip in my fish room that is only partially unfolded that I use for both prying open fish mouths to strip mouth brooders and for cleaning out the valves and/or clogged parts of sponge filters. A few pokes in and out of the valve usually clears the way.

If that doesn't work, I'd replace the valves. In my opinion, they are too inexpensive and too important to put faith in if they are faulty.

 

[Frank Cowherd]

I am with Jon on this. I use a section of electric wire, stripped of the plastic coating to clean out the valve. I remove the stem without removing the base of the valve from the PVC and ream out the valve seat with the wire. Copper wire is soft so really does not injure the valve seat. IF you do this without shutting off the air pump, you usually hear that the valve is clear. Not sure what the clog is as I never see it. I suspect it is PVC shavings from drilling the holes for the valves. But once unplugged it seems to stay unplugged.

As for the wire, electric wire comes in all sorts of gauges. Just find the size you need.

 

[lkelly]

(Aborts the "blow them out with some air" suggestion...)

 

[JLW]

I use a paperclip.

I don't think its PVC shavings, as some of us actually clean out the pipes like you're supposed to beforehand. Jeez, guys. I've taken them apart to find out what "it" is. I think that the valves just, over time, collect a little bit of dust and grime. A lot of the dust just passes through, but if it gets caught just right, it starts to form a nucleus and grow the little dust bogey. It eventually becomes a solid piece of grit that comes out.

I don't use an intake filter on my pump, because I'm a dummy (and my model doesn't have one), so I get a lot of dust going through the system. It builds up, and I have to clear them about once every six months or so.

 

[Pat Kelly]

I use a paperclip.

I don't think its PVC shavings, as some of us actually clean out the pipes like you're supposed to beforehand. Jeez, guys. I've taken them apart to find out what "it" is. I think that the valves just, over time, collect a little bit of dust and grime. A lot of the dust just passes through, but if it gets caught just right, it starts to form a nucleus and grow the little dust bogey. It eventually becomes a solid piece of grit that comes out.

I don't use an intake filter on my pump, because I'm a dummy (and my model doesn't have one), so I get a lot of dust going through the system. It builds up, and I have to clear them about once every six months or so.

My old system eventually got crap in there too. I had a filter but still happened.
I use old twisties. Don't know how to spell it. The ones that hold wires together when you buy something or bread bag closed. I just shave the plastic off one end. They are very thin and seem to get in there for me. I also use them on Hydro's when they clog.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Thanks for the advice guys, will try those methods, but may just replace the worst ones unless it makes an immediate difference.

 

[Carolineep]

If you haven't watched Ted Judy on you tube I recommend it. he has an episode about airline gunk and how he cleans it.