What in the world is in my skimmer?

[drharris]

I use hairnets in my skimmer to catch stuff before it hits the filter. Works really well, 100% recommended. But after opening this year, I'm getting some weird stuff in my skimmer. I know pollen count is really high right now, but this stuff almost looks/feels like a sponge. My water seems perfect right now, high side of FC because I did a mini-SLAM upon opening just in case. Any ideas? Is this just pollen buildup that then has channels from water getting through?



Current Levels:
FC 14.0
CC 0.0
pH 7.5
TA 75
CH 125
CYA 65
Salt 3210
Temp 78

 

[woodyp]

Either pollen or a free honey comb.

 

[drharris]

lol, underwater bees were my first thought when I pulled another one of these out on Monday. This is the buildup from Monday-Saturday. If it is pollen, no wonder my lungs are struggling! Goodness...

 

[woodyp]

Don't let it starve that skimmer for flow.

 

[jeffchap]

Take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

 

[kellyfair]

You’ll need to check back in regularly, so we can be sure that stuff didn’t eat you. Yikes!

 

[vbertone]

Pollen. Had the same stuff here in Md.

 

[Arizonarob]

I was reading an article the other day in regards to the pollen. They said due to a very cold and wet spring, the pollen season exploded all across the US at one time.
I know here in AZ, it was crazy allergy season this year, everyone was suffering one way or the other.

 

[ignoranceisbliss]

I don't know about u guys but first thing I'd do is shoot that dang spider, then figure the other stuff out lol

 

[kellyfair]

Fire, Ig. That’ll do it.

Here in Tampa, the oak trees start their pollen production in January. I go ahead and stick up for 3 months of misery!

 

[Katodude]

Take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

LOL

We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

 

[drharris]

I don't know about u guys but first thing I'd do is shoot that dang spider, then figure the other stuff out lol

LOL, this is a tiny baby spider compared to the ones that'll be coming out around mid-June. Those suckers will be huge and if you touch them at all, hundreds of little baby spiders come out of it. Nightmare fuel.

 

[Gadragonfly]

Those suckers will be huge and if you touch them at all, hundreds of little baby spiders come out of it. Nightmare fuel.

I could have gone the remainder of my life without having that mental image! Someone please pass the brain bleach.

 

[Flbeachluvr]

LOL, this is a tiny baby spider compared to the ones that'll be coming out around mid-June. Those suckers will be huge and if you touch them at all, hundreds of little baby spiders come out of it. Nightmare fuel.

The first time I saw that happen here in Central Florida with all those baby spiders pouring out I nearly died.

 

[BMeeley]

Spiders??!! Y'all have lost your minds. I want know what that STUFF is!! ::

 

[Husky25]

Wait...you didn't intentionally put a sponge in your skimmer basket?

 

[lsjs97425]

I too am getting that from my skimmers. They are lined with those cheap knee highs from Walmart, have to change them about every 2-3 days. It's amazing what these things are picking up!!!