Advice on clogged air curtain

[huffie]

Have read numerous time that by submersing clogged air curtain strip into hot water will help to remove clogged holes. Just did that last night and think it got worse. I have those 2ft black rubbery air curtain and recently the air outlet seemed to be reducing (could be due to algae growth on it). Last night submerged it onto hot water for > 15mins, scrub with old tooth brush to remove the algae and put it back into the tank. Unfortunately, instead of having bubbles coming out from the entire strip, I only see 3 miserable holes with air coming out . Any advise?

[BFG]

Change a new one?

[huffie]

Change a new one?

no doubt the item doesn't cost much.. just trying to figure out what I'm missing and why it got worse instead...guess I'll try out those air disc type this time...

[urbach]

Either soak it in bleach, vinegar or sodium bicarbonate.

[stormhawk]

When you immersed the black rubber air wand in hot water, it must have caused the rubber to react like it does to heat. This hot water treatment was probably meant for the ceramic type air wands. For long term usage, the ceramic-type strip diffusers would be better. The other option is to use diffusers like those from Eheim and Hydor, if you can find the Hydor ones.

[huffie]

When you immersed the black rubber air wand in hot water, it must have caused the rubber to react like it does to heat. This hot water treatment was probably meant for the ceramic type air wands. For long term usage, the ceramic-type strip diffusers would be better. The other option is to use diffusers like those from Eheim and Hydor, if you can find the Hydor ones.

hmm.. thought I read it's also applicable to those rubber types. ok.. guess I'll look into ceramic ones..Hydor sounds expensive hehe...

[stormhawk]

Rubber as a material, behaves differently when compared to other items. I had a rubber elbow joint for my filter output that finally tore a split after a year in use. Rubber also changes when heat is applied. This is more or less dependent on the composition of the rubber in question, as some chemicals added to it will give it various capabilities, like how it is for car tyres.

Hydor is not really expensive, just difficult to find these days. I tend to use cheap ceramic or limewood airstones, that can be replaced as and when required.