28g HQ1 dirty/scummy back chamber

[hudaisy]

All,I have a 28g HQ1 (up and running for almost 6 months) with 25+lbs live rock; stock everything; no protein skimmer.
I have a serious scum/dirt problem in the back chamber (where the filtration system is).
Also, the elbow connector from my return pump to my powerhead keeps slipping out of the powerhead and shoots water all over the back of my aqaurium.
I have tried to contact JBJ, but they have never responded. I ordered new tubing from a JBJ site, but the tubing was too short...still working on that.
Any thoughts on how to fix my scummy/dirty back chamber problem (other than getting a protein skimmer, which I am very disinclined to do)?

 

[premilove]

chaeto! i have the same setup. i turned my back chamber into a mini fuge..
what you can do for the elbow problem is use plumbers tape to get it in there nice and snug. its like 1-2 bucks at home depot..
http://www.plumbingstore.com/tapes.html
just wrap that around the elbow and stick it in!

 

[hudaisy]

Hi,
thanks for the reply, but I don't think it's chaeto. This looks more like debris. Chaeto should be clumpy and "growing." This is just gunk stuck to the sides and back of the rear chamber and pumps.
As for the tubing, I will try the tape. I didn't know what I could use as an adhesive because I didn't want to hurt the water/fish.
On the bright side, my water levels are near perfect!

 

[ls244]

I don't believe he was saying it was Chaeto. I think what he was saying is do away with what's in it now, and use chaeto fir a refugium.