Blackened calcium reactor media

[Tomoko Schum]

Hi,

I had to shut down my calcium reactor for a couple of month due to a move. Now I am ready to restart my reef tank, but my calcium reactor media turned black. Is there any way to save the media?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi,

I had to shut down my calcium reactor for a couple of month due to a move. Now I am ready to restart my reef tank, but my calcium reactor media turned black. Is there any way to save the media?

likely an acid bath. I wonder if its mold or dead bacteria and sulfur hydroxide.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I don't think it's mold. I didn't drain the reactor. The water in it is stagnant, though.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't think it's mold. I didn't drain the reactor. The water in it is stagnant, though.

prob smells like eggs. thats bad

 

[Reeferdood]

It's likely a fungus, like salty said...
Do yourself a favor and just get new media, don't risk it.

 

[Myka]

Just bleach it, rinse well, and either dry it thoroughly or use a dechlorinator.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Black, if not an organism such as mold, is often metal sulfides produced when hydrogen sulfide from stagnant degradation of organics reacts with trace metals in the water.

Bleach may well dissolve it by oxidizing the sulfide to sulfate.