Strange growths in sump area?

[tryptal]

Hey-

I'm new to the hobby- I have a Nano 24 running well for about 4 months now-
I've noticed some strange clear coral looking growths with wider tube like mouths growing on the walls of my back sump area-
They don't look like tube worms to me.
Hard to get a good shot of it but I tried-

There is a good amount of it growing- Not sure if I should try and scrape it out or leave it in-

Check out the below pics- the growths are to the left of the pump in these shots. Seems to be growing in all three chambers on the walls-
Anyone know what it is?

[/IMG]

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Thanks!
TryP

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: Strange growths in sump area?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15326556#post15326556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tryptal
Hey-

I'm new to the hobby- I have a Nano 24 running well for about 4 months now-
I've noticed some strange clear coral looking growths with wider tube like mouths growing on the walls of my back sump area-
They don't look like tube worms to me.
Hard to get a good shot of it but I tried-

There is a good amount of it growing- Not sure if I should try and scrape it out or leave it in-

Check out the below pics- the growths are to the left of the pump in these shots. Seems to be growing in all three chambers on the walls-
Anyone know what it is?

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

Thanks!
TryP

looks like bacteria, or slime algae etc.

Its good practice to every second or third water change to completely drain the sump and vacuum it out.
You can buy a small wet vac for 25 dollars----I would not do without mine.

 

[tryptal]

Small Vac

Small Vac

Hmnn.. There is no light back there, it's a nano 24 dx so the back area is completely covered. can algae still grow? maybe some ambient light is getting in though from the hood.. not sure.

I may need to pick up one of those vacs- I thought that stuff that grows in the sump is usually beneficial and maybe good to leave in?

 

[luther1200]

Looks like flatworms. They should be the harmless ones, but indicate a high nutrient level for them to exist in high numbers like that.

If you want you can wipe the side with a paper towel and if it smells funny its them. You will know the smell if its them, trust me,lol.

 

[rendogg]

It's a sponge, leave it.

 

[GrimReefer82]

^^^^ +1 Definately sponge

 

[darkdruid]

+2 on the sponge

 

[tryptal]

sponge

sponge

Hey-
Thanks for all the replies-
So the sponges are beneficial back there?
There are alot of them in there- all pretty clear texture-

 

[goldmaniac]

+3 they it's sponges
no harm to the tank, I believe that they're marginally beneficial, I've never noticed any difference with them in my tank.

 

[driftin]

The sponges are fine back there. The other replies were referring to the detritus on the bottom.

 

[noahm]

yeah, those sponges are a common sign that your tank is maturing. good stuff. enjoy the new life.

 

[Indymann99]

sponge population (typically urn/pineapple sponges) comes and goes in my tank and sump.

I believe they are harmless filterfeaders.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329357#post15329357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by driftin
The sponges are fine back there. The other replies were referring to the detritus on the bottom.

thanks----that's right:lol: