Snowstorm in a 55g!

[jriechel]

I bet this has something to do with my canister filter. It's a Jabo 404 (Eheim copy) that seems to be working as advertised. This tank has been running for about 2 months and last week, I turned around and it looked like someone had put toilet paper in the tank. Bits of thin white material from 1cm across down to about a mm floating all over the tank. I did a water change the next morning, closing the valves at the filter and doing a thorough cleaning of the filter pads. When I opened the valve back up, it was a blizzard: almost a whiteout! In about an hour, it was gone, I assume it was filtered out, but I suppose dissolving is a possibility.

So, anyone have a guess where this is coming from? I suspect in the motor/impeller housing as the supply and outflow lines look clear. I've never had this before, but I've never had a canister filter either.

Jeff

 

[DMD123]

Your filter lines likely developed a slime that was release when the filter had more pressure from the clean filter pad being installed. Its a good idea to get a tube brush and clean out those lines every now and then.

 

[Discuslover]

Exactly.....your hoses had a slime lining.

 

[JimA]

I haven't cleaned my canister hoses ever and probably should. That being said, when I do clean the filters before I start them back up, I take a fish net and put it over the output side of the hose and it catches 90% of the slime that comes out..

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi JimA,

I agree that it probably came from your filter lines. For me it seems to happen more during the first several months of setting up a tank. A build-up of material in my filter lines can reduce the GPH flow of my filters so I do clean my filter lines about every six months with a four foot (4') filter brush.

Four Foot (4') Filter Brush with 1" diameter bristles

 

[jriechel]

"Line slime" seems like a definite possibility. They are translucent, so I should be able to see it. I'll check. I use a diffuser bar for the return, so dealing with this if that's it, will be a challenge.

Jeff