Viniger and 4 days, what's this??

[wiley0717]

Mixed up a batch of cleaning solution (Viniger and water) to clean some pumps and what nots. Left a powerhead running in the bucket and 4 days later, pop the lid on the bucket and have black water! Not only did I have black water but everything was coated with a thick black slime. Had no smell, the odd part was not even the smell of viniger. Any ideas of what this was?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Mold? A bacterial mat? Diluted vinegar is a nice carbon source for microbes.

 

[wiley0717]

Safe to put equipment back into service?

 

[bertoni]

I'd rinse thoroughly and then reuse. Shouldn't be a problem, IMO.

 

[rayjay]

I'd check to make sure the vinegar hasn't degraded the "potting" media in the main housing.