What is the pink stuff in my toilet?

Question

a fine pink line is sticking near the water line in my toilet. It scrubs off easy, but what is it?

Answer 1

If your municipality's water treatment plant uses an additive called magnesium permanganate to help settle the water (turbidity) prior to filtration at the plant, then that additive will leave a pink stain. However it is easy to remove. Also should be easy to remove from shower/tub.

Answer 2

It is a form of primative algae, which is a kind of early sea life that is a precursor to all modern plants. Your variety is likely to be a fresh water adapted form. Similar forms of life are responsible for the occasional "red tide" events that have been known to cause massive fish kills from time to time. You can see similar stuff growing in the volcanic hot springs in Yellowstone National Park as well as other places. Most green plants are, well, green, but they sometimes also employ other colors of pigment to enhance and maximize the efficiency of absorbing light, especially in low light conditions. You may have seen a similar technique employed by some varieties of Japanese maple trees, and some kinds of plum trees, as well as other ornamental plants.

Answer 3

Check the back of your toilet, perhaps there's something in the water back there. Even when there's something that's small and slightly colored in the back, it will take a long time to be completely out of the water.

Answer 4

That's from "hard" water and the purifiers that the town/city puts into the water supply. I have it too in my toilet and in my shower.

Have a lovely rest of the evening.

Answer 5

Listen to your friend Billy Zane, he's a cool dude.

Answer 6

probably a type of mould