Pink Filter Foam

[LakeyGal]

Checked my external filter (305) media last night and 2 out of the 4 foams have gone pink I think the tank underwent a mini cycle last month due to some numpty turning the filter off for 24 hours but no fish died and I thought I'd caught it, does the fact the 2 foams that I didn't change have gone pink mean that those bacteria were dead in which case I'll whip those foams straight out and nick some media from my other tanks 205...never had pink foam before wonder if I need to be concerned?

Tank 180l - (pH = 7.5, Ammonia = 0.0 & Nitrites = less than 0.25)

 

[LakeyGal]

 

[-germ-]

Not sure what to say....
Erm, you need to find out what turned it pink...
I've never heard of this and i'd certainly be concerned, then again they may just be strange filter pads, first and foremost i'd contact the manufacturers of the filter/filter sponge and inquire whether this has been repored before or if they have any theories.
I'd also start considering whether anyone else has access to the tank and whether they know not to spray strong chemicals on/in/near the tanks, my first thoughts would be that an odd chemical addition has been made.
Without knowing why they are pink theres no way of knowing whether the bacteria is dead, i'd personally consider them a risk and replace them. But that is just my opinion...

 

[LakeyGal]

Without knowing why they are pink theres no way of knowing whether the bacteria is dead, i'd personally consider them a risk and replace them. But that is just my opinion...

Yes, I think removal may be my best bet.....I never seem to have the simple problems....

 

[-germ-]

I noticed.....
Is this in one of the baby BN tanks?
Maybe related... although i wouldn't know how.

 

[LakeyGal]

I noticed.....
Is this in one of the baby BN tanks?
Maybe related... although i wouldn't know how.

It is - I started wondering if Anglian Water have been playing with the water additives because of the floods but I think I'm grasping at straws as surely that would be an all or nothing thing.... though it has all started going funny in the last week or 2...

 

[-germ-]

Contact them and ask, surely that info would be available to the public.
Do they have a website?
I don't know alot about water chemistry and the additions that could be made, certainly worth checking with them though.....

Wouldn't be all or nothing neccessarily, depends what they (if they) have added....

 

[LakeyGal]

Well, that was educational. Called Anglian Water to ask if there were any water additives used recently and got called back by one of their water chemists. They haven't used any additives but he was also able to advise that the pink colour will be an indicator of another variety of live bacteria. With fish that aren't ill (well except the fat BNs) his suggestion would be just to monitor the fish for changes.
He was very knowledgeable and surprisingly helpful for a utility company but do I really want a bacteria in my filter that no-one in the fish forums recognises.

 

[-germ-]

Erm...
Did he advise you as to what bacteria it was?
Have you got a photo? How pink is pink?
I'd still remove it myself, you could locate AndyWG or NMonks and see what his/their opinion is or if he/they has/have heard of pink cycling bacteria?
I'd remove it myself, you may not have fish with a recognisable illness but you do have unexplicably pink filter media and bloated BNs, i just wouldn't chance it myself until you can find some info on the bacteria involved.

 

[andywg]

First off, you say you have a 305. I assume that is a fluval. In that case the sponges are only for mechancial filtration. Your colony of bacteria will be in the cermaics in teh baskets. Just whip out the sponges and put them in boiling water. Anything bad will be killed (or just replace them).

As to the cause...

That is strange. I would consider it unlikely that a bacteria has caused it to turn pink. To confirm it is a bacteria would require looking at it under a microscope. Most anaerobic bacteria turn things black rather than pink.

I would, instead, finger a dye of some sort. Maybe too much bloodworm was sucked into the filter inlet? I certainly wouldn't worry about it too much. Maybe throw a pic up to show how pink it is.

Bottom suggestion, don't worry about it.

 

[LakeyGal]

Am removing said foams although my LFS guru did say it was most likely from the stuff in flake foods, but with so much uncertainty I'm just chucking them and doing a water change.