Okay, so I've had a tank set up since April, abouts, of 2015...
40gal
Small Koi x1
Pictus Catfish x1
Plecostomus x1
Marineland Penguin 200 or something, "Bio-wheel" filter, at the moment... HOB filter system.
API big test kit (the one with the liquid additives and test tubes) shows all levels normal...
Since around August, I've been going through filter cartridges at a rate of at LEAST one a week. They become clogged with this gnasty brown slime that engulfs and chokes them out within 24hrs... Even with regular rinses every day, the slime just continues to accumulate and it eventually takes over the entire filter box and plugs it...
I've tried three different filter systems so far, YES all stating they're for at least 40-gal (had one that was rated for 55's), all with the same result...
Within 24hrs of installing a brand new filter and power-cleaning the filter box with HOT, chlorinated tap water and a good spray head, the box is lined with this brown slimy gunk, and the filter is clogged to the point of barely allowing water to pass through... Even now, after doing a 75% water change, vigorous gravel vacuuming, and installing a new filter (all of this done 2 days ago), the bio-wheel is not spinning for lack of water flow due to brown slime plugging the system up.
What the heck is this brown slime, and how do I stop it from completely taking over my filter in less than a day?
(And before asking, cuz I know it's the first thing asked here by experts and I understand why; YES it was properly cycled. Also, I know I will need a bigger tank for the Koi, you don't need to tell me)
- CK
40gal
Small Koi x1
Pictus Catfish x1
Plecostomus x1
Marineland Penguin 200 or something, "Bio-wheel" filter, at the moment... HOB filter system.
API big test kit (the one with the liquid additives and test tubes) shows all levels normal...
Since around August, I've been going through filter cartridges at a rate of at LEAST one a week. They become clogged with this gnasty brown slime that engulfs and chokes them out within 24hrs... Even with regular rinses every day, the slime just continues to accumulate and it eventually takes over the entire filter box and plugs it...
I've tried three different filter systems so far, YES all stating they're for at least 40-gal (had one that was rated for 55's), all with the same result...
Within 24hrs of installing a brand new filter and power-cleaning the filter box with HOT, chlorinated tap water and a good spray head, the box is lined with this brown slimy gunk, and the filter is clogged to the point of barely allowing water to pass through... Even now, after doing a 75% water change, vigorous gravel vacuuming, and installing a new filter (all of this done 2 days ago), the bio-wheel is not spinning for lack of water flow due to brown slime plugging the system up.
What the heck is this brown slime, and how do I stop it from completely taking over my filter in less than a day?
(And before asking, cuz I know it's the first thing asked here by experts and I understand why; YES it was properly cycled. Also, I know I will need a bigger tank for the Koi, you don't need to tell me)
- CK
