What is this?

[mhayes462]

Bought my biocube from someone else. I took out the bio balls and the stock pump. All over them are these hard worm and shell looking things. And I had to clean out a lot in the bottom of the chambers. What are they?

 

[D-vanhorn90]

that may have been in a saltwater tank before. Is that what the previous owners had told you? Exactly what it is idk. Maybe barnicles some sort???

 

[Zer0]

There are some worms and tiny invertebrates that utilize calcium to create a hard shell around their fleshy parts. This is a pretty typical thing to see, and can easily be scraped off with a razor blade.

Could also be smaller colonial feather dusters. They also form a protective shell around their fleshy parts and they are able to stick to just about any surface.

 

[mhayes462]

Yes, it's in a saltwater tank

 

[carey]

Just wipe them off those are the casings of a sea critter. lol I had them all in my "new" used skimmer and overflow. Completely harmless

 

[melosu58]

Moved to SW ID forum.