Build up in return pipes?

Minoli · Nov 27, 2019

When I turn off my power and turn it back on, a snow storm of yuck comes out of the return pipes. My 65 gallon reef is 14 months old. Currently, fish are in quarantine tank because of Brooklynella. I treated the fish with 4 days of Ich-x , and 50% water change in quarantine tank daily. I’m trying to dose metroplex with focus in their food. Not sure If this is enough? But also, am not sure what to do about the stuff that comes out of the return pipes of the display tank.
My nitrates are at about 18-20.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tariq · Nov 27, 2019

It’s the calcium build up in the pipes, turning the pump off and then back on disturbs the flow pattern, and scrapes off some of the build up.

If you are able to remove the return plumbing, do so and clean it out. There’s a good chance your return pump has similar deposits, affecting the pump flow.

Lastly, figure out if your calcium and alkalinity are out of balance, usually there’s a reason for this sort of build up in the pipes.