Mutant Alien Slime In My Biorb

[CageUK]

I started a fishless cycle of a Biorb on the 15th of Sept (about 6 days ago). I put in the aquarium starter stuff that comes with it, plus I think I put some Aqua-safe as well. I also put some filter floss from a cycled tank just to boost the process.

The cycle is going as expected, I now have ammonia being processed within about 36 hours, Nitrites which are being processed but not quite there yet and of course nitrates.

Yesterday however we spotted some spooky stuff that seems to have taken over the tank!

It is best described as gelatine snow. It has settled/grown on the plastic plant, the pebbles and the bottom half of the orb plastic itself. I haven't got a clue what it is and it looks like wallpaper paste before it's fully mixed if that makes sense.

Has anyone seen anything like this before, and is it safe?

Have I just overdone the bacteria stuff (the packet was for a 60 ltr orb and ours is a 30ltr however it stresses on the pack that you cannot overdose!

Here are the pics...prepare to be spooked!

The Creeping menace on the pebbles (and on the rear glass above the pebbles)

The spooky ectoplasm on the plastic plant

and again without the flash

I just put my hand in to see what it felt like. As I touched the plant to try to rub some of it between my fingers I dislodged the 'snow' and it went free floating. It was very difficult to test the texture because as I went to squeeze it between my fingers it just slipped away. I think I did catch some and it felt slimey. I pulled my hand out though before it started eating me

Anyway just curious as to what alien species has inhabited my Biorb and what I will need to do about it before eventually stocking the tank. I'm intending to put a betta and a couple of corries in there when it's ready.

cheers

 

[CageUK]

Ok bumping and I think maybe answering my own thread.

After having dislodged the 'stuff' and it floating and eventually settling on the bottom I don't actually think it is growing I think it just settled. I then got my trusty scraping stick and stirred the water vigorously and ended up with a giant snow globe. The 'stuff' was everywhere. It's now settled again, but some of it must be on the gravel as there isn't as much as before, particularly on the pebbles.

I think my first assumption may be correct in that it is the 'Starter sachet' or the Aqua-start stuff (I think I said Aqua-safe before) or maybe the combination of the two that has reacted in a strange way.

I'd still like to know if I would have to take any action before stocking though if anyone has any ideas. I don't really want to hoover it up if it is aiding the cycling process!

Cheers.

 

[afishdude]

arnt you supposed to add this stuff to the media? not the tank?

 

[CageUK]

Well afishdude I read the online guide and the sachet instruction and it stated to mix the stuff in a jug of water and tip into the tank!

Link here http/www.reef-one.com/instructions/activation-guide.htm

I think the Biorb uses a sort of hybrid filter which contains medium but also relies on the substrate to aid the filter, a kind of underground filter but not quite.

I could probably net a lot of the stuff if I stir it into snow globe mode and squidge it into the filter as long as it doesn't effect the cycling process!

 

[buttercupbabe078]

Sorry can't answer your question but I have 2 BiOrbs and did what you have done and I haven't got any slime.
Could it be something to do with the filter media you put in as the good bacteria builds up in the ceramic media in a biorb?
x

 

[afishdude]

you are supposed to mix it so there are no lumps.

 

[CageUK]

Well the thought crossed my mind as I have got gravel instead of the ceramic medium. However, the orb was an ebay bargain and the gravel came with it. The Biorb forum also seems to agree that gravel DOES work as an alternative to the Reef One medium as long as it was large enough not to block the filter inlet holes, which I have checked and is ok.

I would guess that the idea is that the 'stuff' would be drawn down to the undergravel filter part and into the filter therebye populating both areas so that you are not relying on just one point of origin for the bacteria. However it seems that the 'stuff' settles before reaching the gravel.

My theory anyway.

Would it harm fish in this concentrated form though?

Come to think of it, it may be worthwhile posting onto that forum as well. Somebody must have experienced this before!

 

[WILDER]

White fungus in tank cut down on feeding and do a gravel vac.
Remove your plants and rock and wash it off, let them dry before you add them back to the tank.

 

[CageUK]

Hi Wilder up late again huh?

The Biorb isn't actually stocked at the moment. I'm in the process of a fishless cycle. Just checked tonight and it's processed 2ppm of ammonia in 24hrs. Stalled a bit on Nitrites thogh but that will happen fairly soon I'm sure as there are Nitrates there.

I'm pretty sure now that the substance in the tank is the starter 'stuff' suppied with it but I've no idea why it's taken this 'fungus' looking form.
I'm also not sure what effect it would have on the fish if I were to leave it there when stocking. I also don't want to take it out if it will effect my cycling process.

Bit of a quandry methinks. I've posted onto the Biorb specific forum to see if anyone else has come up with a similar thing!

Cheers

 

[WILDER]

I did a search on it and it something to do with the system, went over my head to be honest.
Just do a search on it.

 

[CageUK]

you are supposed to mix it so there are no lumps.

Hehe!

Yeah I suppose I could have done that, but I'm normally quite particular about that sort of thing (unless I've had a couple of bevvys of course).

Strange thing is, I could swear that it wasn't there from the start. We only noticed it a day or so ago.

We may have missed it previously but I've done several water tests over the last few days and not spotted it!

I REALLY don't want to start over so I'm hoping it's going to be harmless stuff I can just ignore...exactly the kind of stuff I like!

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
I would clean it off your rock and plants.

 

[CageUK]

Ok.
I would clean it off your rock and plants.

I'll have a hoover in the morning then

Cheers

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Wish I had something to do, my son gone to uni last sunday and i'm bored to death.

 

[buttercupbabe078]

Ok.
Wish I had something to do, my son gone to uni last sunday and i'm bored to death.

There's always plenty to do at my house! lol x