Howdy KayH, I have seen a similar build up in the bottom of my reservoirs (after a grow, when cleaning them out) and I believe that it is, most likely, a build up of precipitated minerals from the nutrients and supplements.Some of the trace minerals (like silica) are just barely soluble in water and when they reach a saturated state, precipitate out. I usually just clean it out with a little vinegar and water (50/50). It's not doing to do any harm to the plants, if it worrys You, just cut back on the amount of supplements slightly.