Gunk in my filter.

[nraposa]

I Have a Cascade 200 Filter. Here is the Link (http://www.pennplax.com/Pages/Aqua.pages..../Aqua18F.html)

Basically for biological filtration it has an internal sponge. And something called a Bio-Falls. The water runs through these falls before it goes back into the tank.

My problem is in this Bio-Falls there is a huge build up of gunk it kind of looks like seaweed. It does not effect water flow at all. Is this the beneficial bacteria i'm looking for. Or is it just built up algea I'll try to get up a picture.
Also if it is bacteria should i clean it up a bit and just leave a little bit ? It hangs down off the filter like a clinging plant touching the water.

[Abbeys_Mom]

Hmmm, I'm not sure...I was told never to clean the bio wheel part of a filter, but I have never heard of one growing algae before.

[nraposa]

It's not algea I don't think it's more like a seaweed type plant. What exactly happens in a bio wheel can you see the bacteria? I way over filter my tank 18X per hour only a 10 gal. tank. So mabye it's like a bacterial bloom I'd hate to lose good bacteria.

[deckard_wa]

The HOB in one of my wife's tanks has a similar thing going on, i always took it to be green algae. Now I'm not so sure :confused: