Mold in Python tubing

G

glassfish

AC Members
Apr 10, 2004
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www.fireflylamps.com
Hi all -

I have been doing frequent water changes due to three fish in my 46-gal showing some small white spots (ick? fungus?). I have added salt and increased the temp.

I use a 25' python. I *usually* only siphon with it and replace water with a bucket. Today though, I thought that I would use the Python to put replacement water in the bucket. OK, no problem. Then... after I had all 3 tanks refilled and looking good, I discovered a small bit of black mold in the Python tubing! :O

Two questions - will this harm my fish? and how do I get rid of the mold in the tubing?

I always empty out the tubing as best as I can, but obviously, it was moist enough...

Thanks for any insight.
 
mine has an assortment of different colored mold battling for dominance. (pink, black, and green to be exact). I have always used it for draining and filling, with no ill effects. i have never thought twice about it...until now.....anyone else have an opinion?

ryan
 
The Python I used at the office molded, as I did not routinely fully drain it before storing between uses. I mixed a bucket of hot Oxiclean and slowly fed the hose in to fill it with water (I took the valves off first I don't know if they have metal componenets). I let it sit until cooled, then reassembled, rinsed first with hot water and then with cool for several minutes. It all came clean.

I do take more care to drain the one I use at home, and this has not happened there. But the one at home is used almost every day, which may make a difference in things getting established in there, where the office unit was used every week to ten days.
 
It's not moldy, it's just getting seasoned :cool: Seriously though, I've been using the same python for about five years and it barely has any gunk built up in it. I keep it clean by making sure to drain the hose as best I can after each use. I do this by leaving the faucet running (sucking) while I wind it up from the tank side to the sink. I get 99% of the water out doing it this way. The little bit of buildup in the hose has never caused a problem.
 
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Ditto RTR. I clean my hoses--even those that look clean--about once a month. I drain them the best I can after each use, but the length of hose involved means it's tough to get it completely dry and the high humidity levels in the house don't help either. Soaking in oxyclean works for all but the most stubborn patches--for those, I let the hose soak for 15 minutes, then squish the tubing together to loosen them, and rinse.
 
Thanks for the helpful replies, everyone. I am glad that I am not the only one with a moldy python.

I do have vinegar and the liquid (spray) oxiclean. I assume you are talking about using the powder with a big tub of water? I have only recently started using this product (thanks, Mom!) and didn't know it would be safe for this use.

This is a great forum - my first source for fish info! :dance

edit: PS - I love your fish avatars, Tommy!
 
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I've never used the straight liquid forms, either, so can't vouch for anything. I'll see if I can find some and look at the ingredients, unless anyone indicates their certainty one way or the other. I have used oxy-kic carpet cleaner, and it obviously has additional ingredients in it, so I wouldn't be comfortable using it for that reason alone.
 
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