Vinegar Dosing - Bacteria bloom collects inside pump & pipes

[Tim Olson]

I have a bacterial bloom that deposits on the inside of my pump. Then, when I turn the pump off (or in feed-mode) and start it back up, it shoots out small white sheets of bacteria. At least I think it's a bacterial bloom.

I've been dosing vinegar for about a year now. Starting with my old tank and now on my new 50g system, which has about 37 gallons of water volume and is 3 months old.

I currently dose 5 times during the day, for a total of 18ml. Which is based on what Randy used in his tank, assuming I did my math right.

I'm guessing I'm dosing too much vinegar, but would appreciate any feedback on this.

 

[HiddenUser]

Either dosing to much, or the skimmer isn't working well enough to pull the extra junk from the water. I'm not dosing vinegar, but I am dosing NO304-X and I get the same problem when I 'overdose'.

If you really dose to much, then it looks like there is snot all over the sump and sometimes display due to the bacterial bloom.

 

[Tim Olson]

Thanks ... I think I'm going to cut the dosing back, but I really don't know what the "right" amount should be. I guess it would be where the skimmer is still giving good skimate and I don't have any slimy white stuff coming out of the pump. Oh, I seem to have the skimmer working well, but I'm still learning this skimmer (Skimz Monster Mini).

 

[Tim Olson]

FYI, here's what the Skimmate looks like. It looks OK, but not great, right? I'm having some trouble finding the right adjustments to get the foam coming over the top, without it overflowing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a bacterial bloom that deposits on the inside of my pump. Then, when I turn the pump off (or in feed-mode) and start it back up, it shoots out small white sheets of bacteria. At least I think it's a bacterial bloom.

I've been dosing vinegar for about a year now. Starting with my old tank and now on my new 50g system, which has about 37 gallons of water volume and is 3 months old.

I currently dose 5 times during the day, for a total of 18ml. Which is based on what Randy used in his tank, assuming I did my math right.

I'm guessing I'm dosing too much vinegar, but would appreciate any feedback on this.

That is quite common, even in some tanks not dosing. I didn't routinely turn mine off, but in those situations where I did, I got such white bits on restart. I think a lot of them line the pipes. It doesn't concern me.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Thanks ... I think I'm going to cut the dosing back, but I really don't know what the "right" amount should be. I guess it would be where the skimmer is still giving good skimate and I don't have any slimy white stuff coming out of the pump. Oh, I seem to have the skimmer working well, but I'm still learning this skimmer (Skimz Monster Mini).

The right amount would be the amount that keeps nutrients where you want them. I am with Randy and do the worry about the bacteria in my pipes because it doesn't hurt anything and is very normal. No need to reduce your dose unless your nutrients are lower than you want them. But I don't think lowering it a small amount will stop the pipes from growing bacteria.
I dose vinegar and vodka in a 40 gallon breeder tank full to the top with liverock. This way most bacteria will grow in there and be easy to remove. It also helps me raise my dose quick if needed without getting nasty bacteria everywhere.

 

[Tim Olson]

That is quite common, even in some tanks not dosing. I didn't routinely turn mine off, but in those situations where I did, I got such white bits on restart. I think a lot of them line the pipes. It doesn't concern me.

Thanks, that's good to hear. I was concerned the white bits might be contributing to my nutrient level.

The right amount would be the amount that keeps nutrients where you want them. I am with Randy and do the worry about the bacteria in my pipes because it doesn't hurt anything and is very normal. No need to reduce your dose unless your nutrients are lower than you want them. But I don't think lowering it a small amount will stop the pipes from growing bacteria.
I dose vinegar and vodka in a 40 gallon breeder tank full to the top with liverock. This way most bacteria will grow in there and be easy to remove. It also helps me raise my dose quick if needed without getting nasty bacteria everywhere.

Thanks ... Right now my Nitrates are 4-5ppm (Lamotte), since this tank is relatively new and my new Fiji rock is still leaching, I think. I'm assuming this will go down close to zero as the tank matures.

I'll continue to closely monitor the dosing and nutrient levels and see how it goes.

All the best!