HELP!! I've been slimed

[Will]

Recently I have been getting this slime in my sump. It clogs my filter sock within a few days or less. Not sure what it is, some sort of algae or a bacteria, but it also clogs my sponge on my return pump. It is a clear coating and feels almost like jelly. I have been keeping reef tanks for a very, very long time and have never seen anything like this this before.
I am in the process of cleaning my sump totally , but it comes thru my return and into my filter sock , so I'm not sure this will help. I don't see any evidence of it in my main tank tho.
I have some pics of it in and on my skimmer as it shows up better since it is clear in nature
Anyone that has seen this or with any thoughts on what it might be would be appreciated.
Thanx

 

[yesjenks]

Coral spawning? Just a random guess.

Good luck!

 

[MatthewScars]

Carbon and GFO

Obviously!

 

[Widdy]

Are you carbon dosing? I've seen something similar, much smaller degree than yours though, when I started on biopellets -- which led me to believe it's bacteria related.

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/mystery-white-reef-slime

 

[greenstreet.1]

I run biopellets from day one and I never seen this.

 

[Central Aquariums Corp.]

bio-pellets or any other type of carbon dosing can cause something that looks just like that
and neither carbon or gfo would cause that

 

[james1990]

I get something like this in my sump, but its dark red or green. no idea what this is but im tuned in

 

[tunicata]

Hm, after I had been vodka dosing for about a month, my skimmer looked a tiny bit like that. It was more of a whitish film though. Yours looks like a clear jelly.

Mine was related to the extra bacteria in the tank.

 

[Will]

Ok...I'm not dosing anything. Just Kalkwasser in my topoff but I've been doing that for quite awhile.
Hard to believe it is a coral spawning that could make this mess.q
This stuff has the consistency of gelatin . I just cleaned my euroreef skimmer and it was loaded with it. I don't see it on any of my rocks. I am adding 2 bags of Chemi-pure....see if that does anything.

What about running a UV filter ..???

 

[NYreefNoob]

did you add vinegar to the kalkwasser ?

 

[Will]

"did you add vinegar to the kalkwasser ?"

Yes I added vinegar the Kalkwasser , about 1/3 cup to a gallon of mix. Altho , I think the last 2 mixes ,I didn't
measure exactly 1/3 of a cup , just guesstimated but I don't think I put too much in the mix.
But as we all know anything is possible LOL...

Are you thinking it's from the vinegar???

 

[Widdy]

Vinegar is one of many source of carbon which can create a bacteria bloom.

 

[Will]

That's what I love about this hobby...no matter how long you've been doing it , there is always something you can learn.
Always thought of Vinegar as Acetic Acid, oh and fixer for photos. Never thought of it as carbon based.
I always used 2 part and just started using Kalk about 3 or 4 months ago.My evap rate is about 1 gallon a day. I was adding the vinegar to help the Kalkwasser go into solution better . It was a mix I got somewhere off the internet. Said add 1/3 cup vinegar per gallon of Kalk mix
If this is a bacteria bloom ,I will do some water changes and see if I can get this under control. Oh yea.. and stop using the Vinegar

Thanx for the info Widdy...It is much appreciated

 

[NYreefNoob]

Thanx for the info Widdy...It is much appreciated

pft lol knew it was some type of carbon, clean all filter pads and such wipe sump down and run some carbon and definately stop with the vinegar

persoanlly ive been using kalk about 5 years or so, never liked the vinegar adding. i do dose two part as well, kalk is to help maintan level, not to increase. i use it mainly for two reasons, helps maintain ph and precipitates phosphates

 

[Widdy]

That's what I love about this hobby...no matter how long you've been doing it , there is always something you can learn.
Always thought of Vinegar as Acetic Acid, oh and fixer for photos. Never thought of it as carbon based.
I always used 2 part and just started using Kalk about 3 or 4 months ago.My evap rate is about 1 gallon a day. I was adding the vinegar to help the Kalkwasser go into solution better . It was a mix I got somewhere off the internet. Said add 1/3 cup vinegar per gallon of Kalk mix
If this is a bacteria bloom ,I will do some water changes and see if I can get this under control. Oh yea.. and stop using the Vinegar

Thanx for the info Widdy...It is much appreciated

You're welcome!

 

[Will]

NYreefNooB

Thanx also ...You hit the nail on the head...I think this problem is solved..
I have aready cleaned the sump and will start a water change asap.
Actually thanx to everyone who chimed in to help.
I rarely ever have any problems but it's nice to know I can come to this forum and get help from knowledgeable reefers.....

Will


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