HELP! White Slime Problem

Crackerballer · 02/15/2008, 11:02 PM

Ok, so here is my setup. 24 gallon aquapod. A fasle perc clown, purp fire fish, and 6 line.

I have 2 pumps for water movement and an AC110 modded hanging on the back growing chaeto in it.

Last night I moved my AC110 around to get it straight and level to make sure there is as little stress on the plastic as possible. I come back this evening from work (some 20 or so hours later) to my aquarium full of white slime. Not too thick. In my opinion, it looks like strings of thick spit between 2-4 inches long, flapping in the current.

However it is not very thick, like maybe like strings or sweeper tenicles. It comes off easily, but doesn't really float.

Any ideas what the hell is going on? I have had the AC110 setup about 2 weeks, and it has done nothing but positive things so far. I do water changes every 2 weeks, and dose 2 times weekly (several kent marine products). The worst part is there was no sign of anything wrong, out of order, or even headed down the wrong path before this evening.

Any input at all is appreciated. Pics to come tomorrow if it's not better.

smpolyp · 02/15/2008, 11:44 PM

Bacteria. Some bacteria love oxygen so the current is a great place to live. I'm sure there are several other things that it could be, but bacteria is the most likely.

Crackerballer · 02/16/2008, 07:11 AM

So is this good or bad? this morning it looks like most of it is gone. My MH come on at 1230 and I'll be home at 430.

Crackerballer · 02/16/2008, 04:09 PM

wow, guess I should have posted *120 tech tank build* and said I was a girl.

smpolyp · 02/18/2008, 09:16 AM

It can be bad if it is an older tank. With new sytems(16 months and under) bacteria blooms to help stabalize the tank, so your tank should be fine. As the tank settels other benifitial bacteria in your rock multiplies and replaces the slimmy bacteria. If it is an older tank and the slime appeared it would show the system does not have enough to convert the waste being produced, but this a whole new topic. It most likely is showing up in the high flow as some bacteria love high oxygen. The things I would worry about now with the new tank is to make sure you are testing your new saltwater that you are using for water changes. Test it for calcium,alkalinity and magnesium. New salts may not have proper levels of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium to start with. If they don't and you are changing the water every 2 weeks you can imbalance the calcium,alkalinity or magnesium. Salt mixes very from company to company and some times the same brand and type. Bottom line the tank will not flurish as much as it should. Also testing the tank for calcium,alkalinity and magnesium to make sure your chemical dosage is up to the tanks capability. Good levels will be:
Calcium 400ppm-475ppm
alkalinity 3.0 meg/L to 4.5 meg/l
magnesium 1250 ppm-1500 ppm
I know this is more technical, but it can make a major difference in how the tank thrives.

02/15/2008, 11:02 PM	#1
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	HELP! White Slime Problem Ok, so here is my setup. 24 gallon aquapod. A fasle perc clown, purp fire fish, and 6 line. I have 2 pumps for water movement and an AC110 modded hanging on the back growing chaeto in it. Last night I moved my AC110 around to get it straight and level to make sure there is as little stress on the plastic as possible. I come back this evening from work (some 20 or so hours later) to my aquarium full of white slime. Not too thick. In my opinion, it looks like strings of thick spit between 2-4 inches long, flapping in the current. However it is not very thick, like maybe like strings or sweeper tenicles. It comes off easily, but doesn't really float. Any ideas what the hell is going on? I have had the AC110 setup about 2 weeks, and it has done nothing but positive things so far. I do water changes every 2 weeks, and dose 2 times weekly (several kent marine products). The worst part is there was no sign of anything wrong, out of order, or even headed down the wrong path before this evening. Any input at all is appreciated. Pics to come tomorrow if it's not better. __________________ No tank currently setup.

02/16/2008, 07:11 AM	#3
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	So is this good or bad? this morning it looks like most of it is gone. My MH come on at 1230 and I'll be home at 430. __________________ No tank currently setup.

02/16/2008, 04:09 PM	#4
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	wow, guess I should have posted 120 tech tank build and said I was a girl. __________________ No tank currently setup.

02/15/2008, 11:44 PM	#2
smpolyp Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Orlando,Fl. USA Posts: 1,279	Bacteria. Some bacteria love oxygen so the current is a great place to live. I'm sure there are several other things that it could be, but bacteria is the most likely.

02/18/2008, 09:16 AM	#5
smpolyp Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Orlando,Fl. USA Posts: 1,279	It can be bad if it is an older tank. With new sytems(16 months and under) bacteria blooms to help stabalize the tank, so your tank should be fine. As the tank settels other benifitial bacteria in your rock multiplies and replaces the slimmy bacteria. If it is an older tank and the slime appeared it would show the system does not have enough to convert the waste being produced, but this a whole new topic. It most likely is showing up in the high flow as some bacteria love high oxygen. The things I would worry about now with the new tank is to make sure you are testing your new saltwater that you are using for water changes. Test it for calcium,alkalinity and magnesium. New salts may not have proper levels of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium to start with. If they don't and you are changing the water every 2 weeks you can imbalance the calcium,alkalinity or magnesium. Salt mixes very from company to company and some times the same brand and type. Bottom line the tank will not flurish as much as it should. Also testing the tank for calcium,alkalinity and magnesium to make sure your chemical dosage is up to the tanks capability. Good levels will be: Calcium 400ppm-475ppm alkalinity 3.0 meg/L to 4.5 meg/l magnesium 1250 ppm-1500 ppm I know this is more technical, but it can make a major difference in how the tank thrives.