Bacteria Issue

[blkhawk10]

So I've had a bacteria problem for as long as I can remember. It's clear and clogs up my filter socks. I've tried everything from water changes, to changing the socks everyday to cleaning out as much as I can to adding nutrients to have measurable nitrates. I'm at my wits end and have no idea how to get rid of it. No algae grows on my glass and I have to clean the bacteria off everyday. There have been random times where algae grows and the bacteria is gone for a couple days only to come back. I don't do anything different when this happens so It's a mystery to me. I don't light candles in the house or spray any chemicals in the general vicinity. Any ideas of what is causing it and how to get rid of it would be much appreciated.

 

[Chocka]

So I've had a bacteria problem for as long as I can remember. It's clear and clogs up my filter socks. I've tried everything from water changes, to changing the socks everyday to cleaning out as much as I can to adding nutrients to have measurable nitrates. I'm at my wits end and have no idea how to get rid of it. No algae grows on my glass and I have to clean the bacteria off everyday. There have been random times where algae grows and the bacteria is gone for a couple days only to come back. I don't do anything different when this happens so It's a mystery to me. I don't light candles in the house or spray any chemicals in the general vicinity. Any ideas of what is causing it and how to get rid of it would be much appreciated.

What does that look like? I didn't know you can see that with the naked eye interested to see that.

 

[blkhawk10]

It's like clear goo. some of it has a brownish tinge to it. If left alone it sits on the top of the water like in my sump and I can scoop it out with a net.

 

[EnterName]

If you have access to a microscope (maybe 200x or better 400x magnification) this would help to identify what you are dealing with. Most bacteria are too small to really see anything (Cyanobacteria are often an exception), but other organisms that are mat forming would be visible (such as Dinoflagellates, Chrysophytes, Diatoms, Euglenids, etc.).

It would also help a lot to have normal photos under white light of the substance you are dealing with. Can you tell us your nutrient levels (Nitrate and Phosphate) as well as alkalinity?
It would also be interesting to know what you are dosing (for example 2-part/Balling/All for Reef/Trace element solutions/etc.)