Im trying to make a "tube squeegee", ideas welcome

[Hackk]

So I've been running with the same tubes in my Ebb n Grow multipot system for over a year now, and I think its time to clean the pipes!

Every cycle I of course clean the pots, and run a rinse of physan20 to disinfect, but Im sure my arteries should be getting clogged by this point. Im not having any problems, I just want to get it all out of there for peace of mind... If the pots and controller bucket get buildup, the 1/2" tubes MUST be getting buildup...

All I've come up with so far is just the start of the process. I figure a strong enough vacuum can pull a string through main line, but then what do I connect to the end to pull through? It still needs to be strong enough not to break, and still be able to grab all the muck as it gets thicker and thicker down the line, but forgiving enough not to get stuck on the rigid connector pieces leading to each bucket... I was thinking of maybe I could cut small "discs" out of left over neoprene, and secure them with a rear knot. So as I pull through, they will hopefully not break...

Ideas people, I know we can create something!

 

[lightningstrike]

Use a longer string and tie a small torn rag end in the middle of the string. Pull it back and forth as many times as you need to clean up any gunk. A final retie of white clean cloth to pull thru to check your work for debris stains. If it gets to tight just use a smaller cloth and don't force it.

 

[BOSCO]

Buy a rubber O ring kit from the hardware store, attack the 1/2" O ring to a disc that fits it, drill a hole in the center attach string or coat hanger wire and run it through the pipes a few times....should work.

 

[Rysam]

Use a longer string and tie a small torn rag end in the middle of the string. Pull it back and forth as many times as you need to clean up any gunk. A final retie of white clean cloth to pull thru to check your work for debris stains. If it gets to tight just use a smaller cloth and don't force it.

 

[Haps]

No. You have selected the wrong tool for the job. First, the wet vac to suck out the tubes,, you can hear when they are clear. Then flush and soak in hot water with 5 percent bleach added m/l. Then vac that out again and flush with hot water and see if it runs clear, or if you get "tube dragons", I used to, but this process does the trick.
H

 

[mrcreosote]

They used to have baby bottle brushes that were just a wire twist with a loop on the end but its been many years since I've had one. They might still have them at a dollar store. You would probably have to give one a haircut to fit through a 1/2" feed line but the loop on the end would probably keep it from hanging up on the connectors.

Babies are still in style, otherwise I would suggest a radiator brush but you would only find those in the northern climes. Test tube brushes could probably work even better.
High test fishline might be handy in case you have to really yank on it to get it through.

Just some random thoughts on bilge-busters.

 

[Hackk]

creo, good ideas, Im gonna look that up. Thanks

 

[rick shaw]

I was at the dollar store they had 10' drain snakes and bottle brushes. Kudos that you are re-using.

 

[Hackk]

haha, Rick. I hate to sound like an eco-terrorist, but Im not doing this to save on tubing, Im doing this because I have 50+ pots, which means 100+ tubing sections, so instead of re cutting, and trying to jam all those tight fittings into the tube over and over again, I figure a quick swipe would be easier... we shall see

 

[foaf]

if bleach doesnt get it out as haps mentions, you can run pure lye drain cleaner solution through it, and it wont hurt plastic, and not too hard on metals, but is hard on organic crap. No need to reinvent drain cleaner. NaOH rises away fully and has no bad properties if left residual except for being a strong ph up, so you can test that it is all out by testing the ph of the rinse water.

I would think that mechanically cleaning the lines would be a big pain in the ass.

 

[Hackk]

So I figured I come back on and give out an update...

Do NOT do what I did. I found an online site that sold bottle/test tube/ odd shaped brushes, I picked up a few stiff bristle brushes of various sizes, and gave it a try. I started by vacuuming through a string (which took forever because it kept getting caught inside), once through I tied it to the brush, and began yanking... This was hard, so hard that I had to tie it to a 2x4 so that it would stop cutting through my skin. After a few snaps of the string, taking apart to find the lost brush, and doing the process over and over, it removed maybe 75% of build up. So to sum up my results, if I had to do it again, I would cut new tubing, and do it all over again.

This was just to much trouble

 

[Haps]

For anyone reading this thread, this is a good example to learn from. This chap did not maintain his rig, and he had to do a lot of fucking work to clean it up, and what he doesn't know yet is how much damage he did with the brushes, but it is sure to cause him more trouble soon.

Grow a crop, clean the whole rig, another crop, another cleaning. Regular maintenance, and developing good habits prevents this shit.
H