White crap coming out of filter??

[pezzy]

So I just cleaned my goldfish tank and shut off the filter (marineland penguin 100) and when i put it back on, this white stuff came shooting out...

is this limescale and can i get rid of it? ive had this filter for months and never had this happen.

also my wheel stopped moving for a while..only off and on once in awhile but i heard that that was normal?

please help

 

[duke33]

Just put your net in front of it before you plug it back in. It won't hurt anything though.

 

[pezzy]

what is it? yeah my fish seem fine

 

[jm1212]

sounds like a bit of buildup around the filter media and intake tubes. clean out your filter and it should help.

 

[jpappy789]

I get that around my HOBs sometimes. Harmless to fish just nasty looking. Clean it though...

 

[THE V]

It could be limescale if it looks like a hard flake. However, If it is a white/tan stringy stuff then it's probably bacteria. I get the buildup of bacteria in my tubes and the goldfish enjoy eating it when it comes out... kind of looks like a booger.... yum.

 

[pezzy]

ok so im glad to hear it isnt harmful to them..i was about to go return my filter but all seems clearer today

 

[Cory Keeper]

I get white stuff myself when I restart my filter, though Its kinda powdery.

 

[pezzy]

yeah thats what mine is

 

[Cory Keeper]

probably just dirt and debris, maybe a little bacteria. It should get filtered back out pretty quick. Nothing to worry about.