Filmy mucus build up

Odysi · 04/25/2018, 11:25 AM

hey guys need some help so my new build is about 5 months old. Not the smoothest start to a tank but with me for some reason thats the norm. So lately i have this strange mucus like film with bubbles building on the surface of the water in my return chamber and for the life of me can figure out what it is. Any help would be great thx!

mcgyvr · 04/25/2018, 11:44 AM

Totally normal bacterial snot..
Just a collection of bacteria that seems to be pooling in that area.. Which is pretty common in a sump.. Just accept/ignore it..
If you were to drain your tank you see the same stuff over all the surfaces of the tank (glass/rocks,etc...).. Its just usually not so visible.. But its everywhere..

Odysi · 04/25/2018, 12:57 PM

Its just odd to me. I have never seen this in any of my sumps or tanks. I think what your talking about is more the slime coat that builds on pumps/cables etc. I dont this is the same stuff the texture to me feels different.

mcgyvr · 04/25/2018, 01:55 PM

Sure looks like bacterial biofilm to me..
Slightly different flow rates and it might not be visible in that area at all..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm

Googlymoogly · 04/25/2018, 02:32 PM

I have that film in my sump also.... I was thinking it was bad and would take it out best that i could. Should I be leaving it in my sump instead?

mcgyvr · 04/25/2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googlymoogly

I have that film in my sump also.... I was thinking it was bad and would take it out best that i could. Should I be leaving it in my sump instead?

Its fine to leave it.. Its fine to remove it..
Its harmless..
The bacterial count in a tank is basically self sustaining based on available food,etc..... remove some and more will fill right back in behind it..

04/25/2018, 11:44 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Totally normal bacterial snot.. Just a collection of bacteria that seems to be pooling in that area.. Which is pretty common in a sump.. Just accept/ignore it.. If you were to drain your tank you see the same stuff over all the surfaces of the tank (glass/rocks,etc...).. Its just usually not so visible.. But its everywhere.. __________________ Who me?

04/25/2018, 01:55 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Sure looks like bacterial biofilm to me.. Slightly different flow rates and it might not be visible in that area at all.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm __________________ Who me?

04/25/2018, 12:57 PM	#3
Odysi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 401	Its just odd to me. I have never seen this in any of my sumps or tanks. I think what your talking about is more the slime coat that builds on pumps/cables etc. I dont this is the same stuff the texture to me feels different.

04/25/2018, 02:32 PM	#5
Googlymoogly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 69	I have that film in my sump also.... I was thinking it was bad and would take it out best that i could. Should I be leaving it in my sump instead?