Mouldy filter?

I cleaned out the whisper filter on my ten gallon last night and found that the black sponge layer filter on the filter had a thick nasty NASTY layer of mould on it! It was just under 1/4 inch thick, a brownish color and slimy. The smell of it wasn't at all apparent before but once I removed the filter the smell of it seemed to follow me the rest of the day- nas-ty!

The water parameters on the tank were great- 0 across the board with an API liquid kit, and I had just done a partial water change and vacuum the day before. I had been thinking to transfer that filter into my cycling 55 gallon to seed it. The tank has been running since April.

Help? What on earth is that icky stuff? How do I prevent it, and should I buy a new filter layer to replace the nasty one? I lost one of the platys in that tank a few days ago for seemingly no reason, but that might be part of it. I most certainly don't want my fish to live in water touched by that kind of gross! I did a google search and didn't find any leads.

--R

 

Sometimes mine will get that way...I just swish it around really well in used tank water and it usually comes right off.

 

That icky stuff is the beneficial bacteria and all the stuff your filter cleans out of your tank Just swish it in used tank water and re-use the sponge If you watch the water flow you can tell when it slows down a little and then you know when to rinse the sponge and it won't pile up as much.
carol

 

I am not so sure this is the beneficial stuff. It REEKED, like a mouldy closet, and was the kind of smell that makes the whole room smell like rotten food. I took it out, and a week later the media still reeks like bad mold. I think I might soak it in a mild bleach solution, the boiling water, then rinse the heck out of it a bunch of times. Right before I found it I lost one of my favorite fish inexplicably, so I want to make sure I don't lose any more. RIP Spike!

--R

 

I am not so sure this is the beneficial stuff. It REEKED, like a mouldy closet, and was the kind of smell that makes the whole room smell like rotten food. I took it out, and a week later the media still reeks like bad mold. I think I might soak it in a mild bleach solution, the boiling water, then rinse the heck out of it a bunch of times. Right before I found it I lost one of my favorite fish inexplicably, so I want to make sure I don't lose any more. RIP Spike!

--R

Or you could just throw it away and buy a new one. They aren't very expensive and might save you some of the hassles of trying to clean it.

 

T he only thing wrong with bleaching the filter pad or throwing it away is you lose a lot of beneficial bacteria. if you feel you really need to throw it away(might cause a mini-cycle) put a new filter pad in with the old for a few days to seed it.
Carol

 

I think if the tank is cycled there should be enough bacteria on the gravel and everything that you should be ok. But it would also be a good idea if you replace it to check the water often (daily?) to make sure everything is ok.

 

I think that's why its a good idea to have a filter with a bio-wheel. So when you go to change your pad, you don't have to worry about the bio because that wheel is there!!!

 

The Whisper has a sponge...So if you change the mechanical portion (the pouch or pad) the sponge retains the bacteria....Same as the wheel does.....