audreydelia21

I just came back from a 4 day vacation and the two tube on my under gravel filter has brown mold or moss growing in it. The water looks very clear and my fish look healthy. Does this always happen to a UGF?? I have never used a UGF before?

sirdarksol

Both of the columns of my UGF are nearly opaque, but I think that's from mineral buildup. Nothing looks brown.
I know that UGFs are somewhat controversial. I'm giving mine a second chance (with a bit of an upgrade), but many people suggest not even bothering to put them in. Apparently, the gunk from the tank that gets pulled down into the gravel can get caught under the plate and create stagnant areas of water.
I don't know if this has any bearing on what's happening with your tank, though. If I were you, I would buy a bottle brush just big enough to get into the tubes and scrub them out. Make sure your filter is running and get ready to vacuum out some of the extra stuff from the water.

COBettaCouple

That stuff could be diatoms, which usually indicate a cycled tank and aren't harmful to the fish.

sgould

I agree with BettaCouple...sounds like diatoms. Harmless, but unattractive. The bottle brush idea is a good one to help you clean it all off.

audreydelia21

Thank you for the help on the brown goo in my UGF tubes. The water is very clear and yes I will buy a bottle brush to clean the tubes........... Audrey

COBettaCouple

if you're a big fan of fear factor type meals, you can always suck the gunk out -- YUM!

audreydelia21

HEY...I love Fear Factor...however...no thanks to the fear factor meals. I get sick when I have to clean up hair ball cat barf...... :P

Xenomorph

Heck I get sick just WATCHING the contestants on fear factor eat those meals!
Will the fish eat the diatoms?

COBettaCouple

mainly it's the algae eaters that go after diatoms.