Dark Spots on Filter Tube

[Larry]

I've noticed a lot of dark spots growing along the inside of my green
filter in/out take tubes. Is this the bacteria that I'm supposed to
be waiting to grow to take care of my ammonia?

TIA,
Larry

[Larry]

On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 16:19:49 GMT, Charles >
wrote:

>On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:50:05 -0500, Larry > wrote:
>
>>I've noticed a lot of dark spots growing along the inside of my green
>>filter in/out take tubes. Is this the bacteria that I'm supposed to
>>be waiting to grow to take care of my ammonia?
>>
>>TIA,
>>Larry
>
>
>Probably just algae.

Darn!

[Robert Flory]

I got black spots, green spots and sorta gungy spots in mine. ;-)

Bob

"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 16:19:49 GMT, Charles >
> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:50:05 -0500, Larry > wrote:
>>
>>>I've noticed a lot of dark spots growing along the inside of my green
>>>filter in/out take tubes. Is this the bacteria that I'm supposed to
>>>be waiting to grow to take care of my ammonia?
>>>
>>>TIA,
>>>Larry
>>
>>
>>Probably just algae.
>
> Darn!
>
>
>

[Dick]

On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:50:05 -0500, Larry > wrote:

>I've noticed a lot of dark spots growing along the inside of my green
>filter in/out take tubes. Is this the bacteria that I'm supposed to
>be waiting to grow to take care of my ammonia?
>
>TIA,
>Larry

You will not see the bacteria, they are too small to see without a
microscope. Have patience. The bacteria takes weeks to become
effective. Your water will probably look milky. When the milky look
becomes clear you have bacteria.

You are seeing algae. It can become thick and limit the water flow.
Buy a brush from your LFS and clean the algae inside the tube..

I am surprised you are not getting algae in your tank. Most newbies
over feed their fish. The fish waste feeds the algae.

Lots of luck with your new hobby.

dick

[Larry]

>I am surprised you are not getting algae in your tank. Most newbies
>over feed their fish. The fish waste feeds the algae.
>
>Lots of luck with your new hobby.
>
>dick

Thanks Dick,

One thing I have been conscious of is what I've read so often (the
dreaded overfeeding). I read somewhere that if they don't get fed one
day they will be none the worse off so that clued me in a bit. I also
adjusted my water flowing into my tank by turning it straight down.
This way the food doesn't get thrown to the bottom nearly as fast.

All the best,

Larry

[Dick]

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 21:44:56 -0500, Larry > wrote:

>
>>I am surprised you are not getting algae in your tank. Most newbies
>>over feed their fish. The fish waste feeds the algae.
>>
>>Lots of luck with your new hobby.
>>
>>dick
>
>Thanks Dick,
>
>One thing I have been conscious of is what I've read so often (the
>dreaded overfeeding). I read somewhere that if they don't get fed one
>day they will be none the worse off so that clued me in a bit. I also
>adjusted my water flowing into my tank by turning it straight down.
>This way the food doesn't get thrown to the bottom nearly as fast.
>
>All the best,
>
>Larry

I have left home for 2 days and the fish were fine. A few months ago
I started feeding once a day instead of twice cutting the food in
half. I love to watch the fish feed, they never seem to get full, but
it loads the tank with waste. When I cut the food in half, I worried
if the plants would get enough nutrient. Again, no problem. I recall
reading a rat study where the amount of food was varied. The rats
receiving less food lived longer. I am sure there is a lower level
where the fish would die, but I am obviously not there.

Some people have a once a week day of fasting for their fish, but I
feel too guilty when it is feeding time and they are swarming at the
feeding area.

dick

[Ozdude]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...

> I have left home for 2 days and the fish were fine. A few months ago
> I started feeding once a day instead of twice cutting the food in
> half. I love to watch the fish feed, they never seem to get full, but
> it loads the tank with waste. When I cut the food in half, I worried
> if the plants would get enough nutrient. Again, no problem. I recall
> reading a rat study where the amount of food was varied. The rats
> receiving less food lived longer. I am sure there is a lower level
> where the fish would die, but I am obviously not there.

I have read, but never done, that tank fish can go, like, 15 days without
food, providing they are well fed before such a break. I don't how true it
is and I wouldn't like to put my little beauties through it. I've read human
studies too, btw, where slight under eating seems to extend life expectancy.

>
> Some people have a once a week day of fasting for their fish, but I
> feel too guilty when it is feeding time and they are swarming at the
> feeding area.

Me too. I can't stand it. They usually give little hints like striking the
water surface and I have read advice that says if you are going to feed your
fish, make sure it's regular etc., but I feed mine when I get a "signal". I
think also Tetras, on the whole like to forage, browse and nibble, so they
don't quite fit into the "all they can eat in 5 minutes" generalisation.
Mine normally devour everything inside of 1 minute in any case and even then
I am tempted to give them more, but I don't - well sometimes they get a
little frozen bloodworm "dessert treat" if they are good fishes;)

Oz

[surewest]

it is probably algae, but you really don't want that
in the in/out tubes, as it will decrease the flow volume
a lot more than you would think.


Dr5000

| ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
| ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

Remember dont tap the glass,
....or your fish will think you're an idiot !


_______________________
"Charles" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:50:05 -0500, Larry > wrote:
>
>>I've noticed a lot of dark spots growing along the inside of my green
>>filter in/out take tubes. Is this the bacteria that I'm supposed to
>>be waiting to grow to take care of my ammonia?
>>
>>TIA,
>>Larry
>
>
> Probably just algae.
>
>
> --
> Charles
>
> Does not play well with others.