Milky Tubes From Filter

[Peter C]

Following on from the oily surface topic iv noticed my filter output (puts water back into tank) is extremely milky. I know it's not tue tube as its clear rubber so what could be making the pipes o milky looking? The water is clear, just the surface is oily

 

[Aquascaper]

Sounds like bacteria feeding off excess protein. How long has the tank been running with fish?

 

[raptorrex]

Following on from the oily surface topic iv noticed my filter output (puts water back into tank) is extremely milky. I know it's not tue tube as its clear rubber so what could be making the pipes o milky looking? The water is clear, just the surface is oily

I'm with Aquascaper here.

I'd normally say just change the tube out.
they dont last forever.

 

[Peter C]

The tubes less than a week old lol

Upon closer inspection it seems to be a white jelly on the outside of the tube covering the tube and the suction cups

Tanks been running since march but the filter is new

 

[elmo666]

I agree that the white sludge is as above, but where is this protien/oil coming from?? For the first time ever I am experiencing this film. Trying to rule out the exact cause but it's not easy as so many things can cause it. So, where did all that oil come from? First, be aware that it only takes a small quantity of oil to make a slick. A drop or two will create an impressive oil slick. Many sources can introduce a tiny amount of oil, including:
•Fish food – Most fish foods have some fat in them.
•Your hands - Everyone has oils in their skin, not to mention that hand lotion you slapped on.
•The air - Cooking oils aerosolize into the air, which is why kitchen surfaces get greasy. If your aquarium is in the next room, the tiny droplets of oil in the air can easily be carried to the tank.
•Equipment - Filters and pumps can have small amounts of oils to lubricate them.
•Fish waste - Fecal material from the fish contains some fat.
•Dead fish - In the unhappy event that a fish dies and is not immediately removed, the decomposition of the body releases fat into the water.
Now that you know where oil comes from you probably wonder why all aquariums don't have oil slicks. Many would, if they didn't have filters and pumps circulating the water. The constant water movement keeps the minute quantities of oil mixed in with the water so they never rise to the top and create an oil slick. For that reason, aquariums that have little water movement are more prone to formation of oil slicks.
The oil itself may not be dangerous, but it reduces the normal gas exchange that occurs at the surface of the water. That in turn will reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, which is not good for your fish. Furthermore, the underlying cause for the oil may be pointing to a larger problem, such as overfeeding, insufficient maintenance, or even faulty equipment.
A quick way of removing the oil slick is to turn off the filters and pumps, and wait a bit for the water to become still. The oil can then be removed by laying a paper towel lightly on the surface for a few moments, then removing it. It may be necessary to repeat the process a couple of times.
To keep the oil slick from coming back, make sure you have good surface agitation, perform regular maintenance (including water changes), and make sure your hands are free of lotions. Using gloves when working inside the aquarium will ensure nothing is transferred from your skin. If the oil slick continues to appear, check your filters and pumps carefully for the presence of oil. Faulty equipment has been known to release oil into the water. Apart from the appearence of this film my tank looks healthy (I think)

 

[Peter C]

It's only growing on the rubber hose aswell, not the plastic outlet pipe

I did cut corners with the new filter tho, it didn't have the outlet and inlet valves so I put the hose in the actual water rather than having the correct right angle tubes

Could it be the rubber hose slowly disintegrating?

 

[Peter C]

http/m1067.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/peterofcarlisle/D84D7583-FB9E-4E9D-A78A-016F82AFA5E8-4379-000003CDB706E07E.jpg.html?o=0&newest=1

 

[fluttermoth]

I think it's just that weird algae that likes to grow on new rubber in tanks, nothing to worry about, it'll go very quickly.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I think it's just that weird algae that likes to grow on new rubber in tanks, nothing to worry about, it'll go very quickly.

+1

 

[Peter C]

I'm guessing that's what is making the oily surface aswell?

Anything that will get rid of it?

I'm gonna get the right angle plastic tubes on payday so the tubing will be out of the tank then it's just until now

 

[elmo666]

Not sure what would get rid of it, but if you suspect it's bacterial you can treat with an anti-bacterial treatment, tho am guessing this would also affect filter bacteria. Reading over the posts relating to oily water surfaces, it would appear it is more common than may first appear. My wife has commented on some of my fish "gasping", am not sure as the only time I see them at the surface is everytime I approach (oh yes, they DO know who's the daddy). Anyways, am determined to rid my tank of this bloody scum 2moro, and won't rest 'til I do. Am armed with 2 rolls of kitchen roll, lets hope these "thirst pockets" work. Have fixed a flattened nozzle designed for spreading return from a powerhead to my syphoning hose. The plan is to "skim" the film off the surface with a slow water change if the kitchen roll fails. If that doesn't work, drastic measures are called for. Will bottom syphon 50% of whats left, drain, clean and re-fill the whole set-up, leaving the filter ticking over in the 5 gal of original (hopefully clean) water I will be adding back. Then, if am film free, gonna monitor everything very closely, keeping a feeding diary etc, so that if it does return I have at least half a chance of figuring out where it came from in the first instance.