Stopping crud when restarting return pump

[PeterEde]

I always get crap coming from return after stopping the pump?
How do I stop this?

I only have vinyl clear hose. Am I right thinking it's because it's clear and algae grows in there?
If I swap to black no more algae?

Or swap to rigid pipe?

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

I always get crap coming from return after stopping the pump?
How do I stop this?

I only have vinyl clear hose. Am I right thinking it's because it's clear and algae grows in there?
If I swap to black no more algae?

Or swap to rigid pipe?

I have the same issue, not just with the clear return hose such as yourself, but my fresh tanks with canisters and HOBs do this **** too even after cleaning them.

I was following the same logic as yours as to the solution, but interested in seeing what people recommend.

 

[snorklr]

i specifically switched to black hose for this reason...and after about a year it spits out crap again...now i put a net in front of the inlet when i restart it and try to catch as much as i can

 

[kados]

Hard PVC plumbed returns here and same thing happens. I believe it's inevitable. I agree with above comments..sometimes I'll also place a net in front to catch the stuff but usually just let flow back into the tank.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Crud builds inside pipes & pumps slowly.
A start up will dislodge some of it & out it goes.

 

[locito277]

Pretty sure it’s sponges that grow in your plumbing

 

[PeterEde]

So seems consensus is nothing can be done. Just put an old stocking over the return for a minute

 

[PeterEde]

Pretty sure it’s sponges that grow in your plumbing

I don't think mine is sponges. The algae eaters eat some of it.

 

[PeterEde]

Hard PVC plumbed returns here and same thing happens. I believe it's inevitable. I agree with above comments..sometimes I'll also place a net in front to catch the stuff but usually just let flow back into the tank.

Yeah it does clear with in 30 minutes or so. Ends up back down the return

 

[homer1475]

I had always assumed it was biofilm that slightly dries out while the flow is off, then flakes off and flows out the returns when the pumps are turned back on. Never saw it as an issue, just slightly unsightly.

I almost never turn off my return now except when doing my weekly WC's.

 

[Snoopy 67]

I'm lucky enough to be able to leave mine on even for water changes with this tank.

 

[PeterEde]

I had always assumed it was biofilm that slightly dries out while the flow is off, then flakes off and flows out the returns when the pumps are turned back on. Never saw it as an issue, just slightly unsightly.

I almost never turn off my return now except when doing my weekly WC's.

Pump is only off for 10 minutes?

 

[ninjamyst]

It's white flaky stuff right? I just siphon it out of my sump return chamber during water change

 

[Dan_P]

I always get crap coming from return after stopping the pump?
How do I stop this?

I only have vinyl clear hose. Am I right thinking it's because it's clear and algae grows in there?
If I swap to black no more algae?

Or swap to rigid pipe?

I think you are referring to the bacteria biofilm that accumulates on pipie surfaces that gets knocked loose with pump start up. It has nothing to do with clear or opaque pipes.

 

[PeterEde]

I think you are referring to the bacteria biofilm that accumulates on pipie surfaces that gets knocked loose with pump start up. It has nothing to do with clear or opaque pipes.

Probably. Some of the fish seem to like eating it

 

[X-37B]

Every 6 months or so, or when I see stuff comming out my retun, I thread a piece nylon rope through the return to the sump. I then tie a small piece of cloth to the end and pull it through slowly. It will remove everthing.
Kind of like running a patch through your barrel when cleaning.

 

[PeterEde]

Every 6 months or so, or when I see stuff comming out my retun, I thread a piece nylon rope through the return to the sump. I then tie a small piece of cloth to the end and pull it through slowly. It will remove everthing.
Kind of like running a patch through your barrel when cleaning.

Pull through

 

[gbroadbridge]

Probably. Some of the fish seem to like eating it

My pumps automatically stop/restart 3 times a day for feeding (it's all programmed).
I never see any detritus release, I suppose because it is always been blown away.

It's just fish food anyway

 

[X-37B]

Pull through

Yes

 

[exnisstech]

I don't even worry about it. I figure it feeds the fish and coral and if not the water clears pretty quickly anyway. It's nothing like when I roll my cheato over while the return pump is running. I let all that stuff blow into the display as well and it doesn't hurt anything.