Carbon dosing slime

[Tab28]

I have been dosing with red sea brand. My filter sock and baffle sponges always seem to get this tannish slime. The sponges only get it on the upflow side. The slime gets pretty heavy causing frequent cleanings. Is this a minor nuisance side effect of carbon dosing or does it mean i am using too much/little or something else?

 

[c_healy]

It is bacteria and means you are dosing too much.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't necessarily think it means you are dosing too much, unless you define to much by whether you get unattractive slime. How much are you dosing?

The slime is the bacteria, and they have to grow somewhere. Many of us never see any apparent slime, even with high organic carbon doses, but that is likely due to dosing into areas where we are happy to have the bacteria grow (such as into a rock filled refugium).

That said, different organics may drive different bacterial species, and switching to a different organic or mix of organics may drive a different species that tends less towards slime. Perhaps consider dosing just vinegar instead and see if that alters the slime.

Overall, however, slime on the sock is a good way to export the growing bacteria and reduce nutrients. I had a lot growing on my GAC in a canister filter, and I would periodically rinse it off under tap water.

 

[Tab28]

The slime is not apparent on rocks in tank. It may be on sump rocks but i have led lighting in that chamber so not sure if lighting kills it off. It seems to get it extra heavy in filter socks and sponges. These areas may be great areas for it to grow good flow, low lighting, porous media and enough resistants to grow. I will try to alter my dose, now use 15 ml per day in 150. Now that i am thinking of it; This is same dosage i used when levels where much higher.

 

[Chpaige]

I have found the best way to combat slime is water change and water movement, if you have low to no water movement in some areas that is what is known as a dead spot and prime location for slime to grow.

 

[Reefing Madness]

It is bacteria and means you are dosing too much.

I agree with this. When the carbon is done in large stages to get rid nitrates, in the higher stages it will grow the bacterial slime. It won't stay, but it looks gross doesn't it.

 

[Tab28]

I agree with this. When the carbon is done in large stages to get rid nitrates, in the higher stages it will grow the bacterial slime. It won't stay, but it looks gross doesn't it.

It does look gross. But luckily it is only in sump on filter media. So they only time i see it is when checking on the skimmer. It clogs the media and i have to rinse it off several times a week. Not easy slime to remove from sponges. But will adjust dosage since trates are a little less than i like, and phosphates are less are SPS levels.