Bacteria floc explosion.

[Miami Reef]

I dose organic carbon (vodka or vinegar) upstream of my return pumps in my sump.

If I close the return pumps and then restart them, a burst of oblong, fibrous, clear-white strands come out. I’ve removed a piece to feel it, and it was slimy.

I was sitting on the couch while watching my tank, and I noticed an explosion of these same flocs. My return pumps didn’t even stop.

Is this bacteria?


My tangs definitely consume it.


@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[shakacuz]

this has actually occurred to me as well. i don’t dose vinegar or vodka

 

[Miami Reef]

this has actually occurred to me as well. i don’t dose vinegar or vodka

Do you still have this?

 

[shakacuz]

Do you still have this?

only occurs if or when i restart my return pump

 

[dadnjesse]

That happens to me when I dose microbacter 7. I had to have my wife help me hold nets in front of my returns when I restart my return pump after a water change.

 

[Miami Reef]

only occurs if or when i restart my return pump

This is great to know. Thank you. I thought it happened because of the carbon dosing, but it’s interesting to know that it also happens to “normal” tanks, too. Thank you for your response!

 

[shakacuz]

That happens to me when I dose microbacter 7. I had to have my wife help me hold nets in front of my returns when I restart my return pump after a water change.

i do dose mb7 once a week when i dose coral snow

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I dose organic carbon (vodka or vinegar) upstream of my return pumps in my sump.

If I close the return pumps and then restart them, a burst of oblong, fibrous, clear-white strands come out. I’ve removed a piece to feel it, and it was slimy.

I was sitting on the couch while watching my tank, and I noticed an explosion of these same flocs. My return pumps didn’t even stop.

Is this bacteria?


My tangs definitely consume it.


@ISpeakForTheSeas

I have seen the same come out of plumbing during pump restarts whether carbon dosing or not. I usually observe pink snotty strings when carbon is being overdosed.

 

[exnisstech]

i do dose mb7 once a week when i dose coral snow

Just figured I'd chime in because I was dosing MB7 daily for a few months on two tanks (still bi weekly in one now) and never noticed anything like this.

 

[taricha]

Films form on return pipes and pumps etc, and are often loosened by switching them off/on. Dosing organic carbon increases the amount of material that can slough off when I turn things off/on like that - in my experience.
That pale monoculture filament stuff in pipes has only happened in my tank under significant carbon dosing.