Any canister supply/return hoses that don't collect gunk?

[beviking]

I noticed my hoses on my XP3 getting a little tan-ish color so I pulled them off. When I ran a brush through them, I couldn't believe the gunk that built up in there! Obviously I'll have to do this more often but I was wondering if maybe a different material is less prone to this build up? I know there's a lot of different tubing and hose materials out there, but I've only played with...uh, used... what I have... so I don't know how the others perform. :o

[Alastair]

The gunk you're finding is a combination of algae and bacteria which will colonize any surface to which there is a ready supply of oxygen and nutrients. As it turn's out, hoses fit the bill perfectly. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this. Most if not all filter manufacturers use vinyl hose because of its low cost and relative durability. There are hoses for lab use that are very resistant to such build up, which is achieved by creating a surface so smooth and slick nothing can adhere to it. Unfortunately, these materials are prohibitively expensive, and depending on the specific plastic used and the quality, may run from $10-$100+ per foot. Probably its easier just to clean the hoses every time you clean your filter.

[Noz2Glass]

Is it Eheim that uses green colored hoses/plumbing? The Marineland SOS skimmer is dark grey or black? I read somewhere that darker colored skimmers collected less 'growth'. You could use dark colored hosing and install a flow meter. I saw one of the on-line retailers selling one.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I would recommend just cleaning the hoses each week. That will stop giant build-ups from occuring.