Need help identifying stuff coming out of my return pump

[ashtoreth]

Hi,

I haven't noticed much algae in my display portion of the tank but recently whenever I turn off my return pump and turn it back up, there will be thin slimy strips (translucent in water but light brown once you bring them out of water) being shot out of the return pump (there are one or two tiny strips when I pause for feeding but there is a massive amount that comes out after a long pause for a water change). I've been running the tank for 3 months and noticed my return pump was coated in a bit of sliminess and just disassembled it and wiped down during the last water change a week ago (although I haven't run it in water + vinegar since I don't have a back up pump) but it seems like there are still bits coming out. Does anyone know what this may be / how I should deal with it? I don't have a skimmer or refugium yet since my nutrient levels don't seem high (I only have two small clowns, a cleaner shrimp and a firefish in a 30 gal) and do weekly 10-15% water changes.

Thanks!

 

[Dan_P]

Hi,

I haven't noticed much algae in my display portion of the tank but recently whenever I turn off my return pump and turn it back up, there will be thin slimy strips (translucent in water but light brown once you bring them out of water) being shot out of the return pump (there are one or two tiny strips when I pause for feeding but there is a massive amount that comes out after a long pause for a water change). I've been running the tank for 3 months and noticed my return pump was coated in a bit of sliminess and just disassembled it and wiped down during the last water change a week ago (although I haven't run it in water + vinegar since I don't have a back up pump) but it seems like there are still bits coming out. Does anyone know what this may be / how I should deal with it? I don't have a skimmer or refugium yet since my nutrient levels don't seem high (I only have two small clowns, a cleaner shrimp and a firefish in a 30 gal) and do weekly 10-15% water changes.

Thanks!

Sounds like a bacteria slime, a nuisance but unlikely an issue.

 

[John08007]

Shouldn't be a problem. My tank is 7-8 yrs old and have an algae coating the inside of my return pipes also. I would think its a similar algae that coats your glass after a few days.

 

[ashtoreth]

Thanks. Is there any good way to get rid of it or will it always come back?

 

[TriggerFinger]

It’s in the return plumbing as well as the pump. You would have to disassemble to clean it all just for it to come back. It’s unsightly but not harmful.