What do yall think this is?

[k.tran]

Turned off return to do some maintenance. And I turned it back on and get this all over the tank.

Did it again this week. Wondering what it could be? Video below, excuse my heavy breathing....

 

[Jimbo327]

I've seen that before. It only happens when you turn off the return and turn it back on. I assumed it was some type of sponge, film or precipitation that get sucked into the return impeller, and when you restart the tank....it shreds and send into tank. Nothing ever happened with my tank afterwards though. It did freak me out too.

 

[mchain275]

Are you referring to the stuff floating in the water or the mucus net stemming from the rock?

 

[OldReefGuy]

You dosing NoPox?
Looks like maybe clean your return pump/line.
I dose NoPox and my FX6's do that sometime when I restart

 

[Discotu]

Probably just biofilm. I think you're fine.

 

[wishntoboutside]

I would call it mum. It is the slime coating and such that sticks to the inside of the plumbing. When you turn the pumps off it comes lose and when turning in the pumps it shoots everywhere. I would not be alarmed as I do not think it would cause any side effects.

 

[joseserrano]

Biofilm

 

[Reeferkcp]

I turn off pump twice daily to feed and I see this stuff everyday. Don’t sweat it.

 

[drexel]

There is so much stuff that grows in plumbing that will get dislodged when the flow changes. Biofilm, sponges and other micro fauna. It's completely normal and expected.

 

[k.tran]

Thanks all. Not too concerned as look like the corals are eating it to an extent. Just had no idea what it was.

Is it better to switch to black tubing or something like that?

 

[bakbay]

Underwater snow storm!

I don’t usually turn off my return pumps so hardly see any; however, it’s much worse when I do - kicking off all kinds of crap from the sump.

It’s normal dude - changing to black tubings or PVC pipes doesn’t really change anything. They are growing inside your tubes/pipes. It’s a good thing, free food for your corals! lol

 

[Tangwich]

Thanks all. Not too concerned as look like the corals are eating it to an extent. Just had no idea what it was.

Is it better to switch to black tubing or something like that?

I agree with @drexel regardless of the type of tubing, it's stuff that grows in the pump too. My last 5 footer that I broke down had white pvc plumbing return and wen I would do water changes, all the crap similar to what u showed in the video would come out of my returns. i opened up my vectra and there was so much crap growing in there.

 

[k.tran]

I'll just have to collect it and put it in my coffee then! ‍♂️

Thanks for the help guys, sometimes I show how much of a noob I am...