Help! Filter spewed out white flakes after cleaning

[KaiserSousay]

some algae or bacteria film.

+1
Just one of a number of reasons I got away from canisters.

I have a brine shrimp net that I put in front of the return outlet when i fire up the filter after cleaning
Good idea.

 

[vfc]

If I want to see the white flakes, I just squeeze the output tube anytime the filter is running and out will shoot the flakes. I think it's calcium buildup. Some fish eat it; yuk.

 

[squint]

some algae or bacteria film.

I also think it's biofilm that loses adherence after the flow of water has been absent for awhile.

It's not anything that wasn't already in your water and if it's dead algae or bacteria, it's not enough to cause an ammonia spike or anything.

I've seen it for years and nothing bad has ever happened.

 

[evbal]

take out the spray bar and wash it, I think it is in the spray bar.
Then I change to the regular output now with no problem

 

[Nozebleed]

i normally tie a large fish bag around the nozzle(in tank) when turning the filter back on after cleaning...that way all the dirt and crap stuck in the tubes wont go back into your aquarium. only way to do it.

 

[fishman61]

I agree, have been using a fine mesh net to catch the debris for years

 

[leather]

Happens to me every water change every week for the last 8 years, no biggie just catch it with you fish net like somebody else said. no worries

 

[Davey crocket]

It is most likely white algae i have my tanks plumbed with pvc some of the plumbing has clear pipe for joining i noticed when stopping my sump filter and restarting white flakes would pour in to my tanks.the clear joining pipes were exposed to some sun.since i have removed the clear plastic joiners i no longer have a problem with the white flakes.hope this helps your problem

 

[esoxlucius]

Welcome to the forum D Davey crocket . I don't know if you were aware but you've resurrected a very old thread from 2010!!! No biggie, it's just the guys who were participating in that discussion haven't been on the site in a long while, some for years!

In future, just check the date the thread was started and when there was last any activity on it. Again, welcome to our crew.