what is this milky oily stuff?

[fishfanatic]

It does not show up in the picture. But it is like watery milk floating on top of my tank. It is slippery if I get it on my fingers. Gerrrrr.

 

[roydooms]

It's bio-film. Do you dose ferts? I read that it is excess nutrients but I'm not sure if it's true. I have the same in my tank. I just bought a powerhead to circulate the surface but not disturbing it. Did that make sense? Lol. Because just like you I am running a CO2 system. I just accepted that I'll have the bio-film in my tank so it won't bother me as much when I first noticed it.

 

[fishfanatic]

Here are some 'better' pictures

 

[fishfanatic]

I have not used ferts for about a week. Is it good/ bad

 

[roydooms]

I just googled about bio-film. This is what I got. I was going to read it and share it to you but let's just check it out at the same time

http://theaquariumwiki.com/Bio-film

 

[fishfanatic]

It sounds like I need more serface movement? All I have is my fluval 305 and it barely moves the surface of the water. This appered after I removed my UGF (the bubbles from it mgjt have moved the serface just enough to stop it from forming)
Ok question time if I add an airstone to the tank (to move the serface water) then will I loose a lot of CO2?

 

[roydooms]

Yes you will. That's the reason I just bought a powerhead to add water flow. Just set the outtake to move the surface but not break it. I bought a cheap one at petsmart. $23. There's a less powerful(?) one for $19. That will do the job as well. I even think that I should have bought the $19 instead.

 

[fishfanatic]

Did the power head fix the Bio film? And would a power head and the fluval 305 be too much water movement in a 40 gallon tank? (I don't want my fish to get sucked into a. whirlwind...lol)

 

[roydooms]

I just bought it yesterday. It looks better though now that the surface is moving. It doesn't look stagnant. The link that I posted^^^ said that the water movement will dissipate the bio-film. I bet it will take some time.

As for the flow, I think you'll be fine. I have a fluval FX5 that is rated for up to 400g in a 125g plus the powerhead

 

[fishfanatic]

My goodness my parents are going to kill me when I tell them I need something else! In the past month I got a new light, filter, CO2, and, pps pro! They think that this hobby has gotten way out of hand (everyday my dad.tells me "don't go too crazy" and I tell him " to late"

 

[roydooms]

I guess it's time to mow the lawn to make them want to buy you the powerhead or tell them that this hobby keeps you away from drugs

 

[fishfanatic]

Lol! I luckily have a job (they make me pay for everything) to bad it is still snowing here's in Utah. I am tired of shoveling global warming! Lol

 

[roydooms]

If you're going to buy it with your own money then you should be fine, right? Just don't tell them. Lol!

 

[fishfanatic]

I was talking to my mom and she said "your fish tank is your high" (it is sad but true) thanks for all your help! And the laughs!

 

[roydooms]

Lol. Same with me. My tank is my high

You're welcome

 

[Scalare]

you could probably skim it off the water surface with a fine net,
that should clear it for a while anyways.

Pete