film on water

[sansouci01]

My 20 gallon tank is almost done cycling. I just noticed a film on the surface of the water. I have plenty of water movement with my hob filter, skimmer, and two power heads. My skimmer is still breaking in so is this why I see the film or is it something else ?

 

[Mattyfelts]

My 20 gallon tank is almost done cycling. I just noticed a film on the surface of the water. I have plenty of water movement with my hob filter, skimmer, and two power heads. My skimmer is still breaking in so is this why I see the film or is it something else ?

how much sunlight is there hitting the tank?

 

[sansouci01]

It's located on an inside wall near my hallway so no direct light at all. Just the ambient room light..

 

[Mattyfelts]

It's located on an inside wall near my hallway so no direct light at all. Just the ambient room light..

hmmm any drafts that like pollen could get in or something? Cause sun light could explain it. Have you tryed just scooping it off ?

 

[Fishman007]

My 20 gallon tank is almost done cycling. I just noticed a film on the surface of the water. I have plenty of water movement with my hob filter, skimmer, and two power heads. My skimmer is still breaking in so is this why I see the film or is it something else ?

What filtration, power heads, and skimmer. Could be excess. Nutrients. Please show pics if possible. Usually happends when water is stagnent.

 

[Fishman007]

hmmm any drafts that like pollen could get in or something? Cause sun light could explain it. Have you tryed just scooping it off ?

I dont think pollen is it. And even if he scoops it off it is likely to grow over again

 

[Mattyfelts]

I dont think pollen is it. And even if he scoops it off it is likely to grow over again

I agree stagnant water could cause it. Maybe dust off something that settled into the tank. Picture will help a tonne

 

[Fishman007]

I agree stagnant water could cause it. Maybe dust off something that settled into the tank. Picture will help a tonne

I guess we will have ro wait then until we can get a pic right?

 

[Mattyfelts]

I guess we will have ro wait then until we can get a pic right?

could be dirt or gunk from any decorations, plants, or rock and gravel. Or maybe if he/she has put fish or anything in the tank recently and has put some of the bag water in it may have contained a bacteria? Still really weird though

 

[sansouci01]

here's some pictures. Lots of micro bubbles from my skimmer. I did try to point one of my power heads up to break the surface tension but so far, no luck

 

[Fishman007]

here's some pictures. Lots of micro bubbles from my skimmer. I did try to point one of my power heads up to break the surface tension but so far, no luck

What filtration and skimmer. Could be the cause. It is very high chance of excess nutrients. Be scarce on feeding if so.

 

[Mattyfelts]

What filtration and skimmer. Could be the cause. It is very high chance of excess nutrients. Be scarce on feeding if so.

might be something out of rocks or gravel. Did you clean them? Sorry for noob acquisitions I'm just trying to help haha

 

[sansouci01]

no fish...tank is still cycling. Almost done though. Aqueon 30 hob, and Aquatic life 115 skimmer

 

[Mattyfelts]

no fish...tank is still cycling. Almost done though. Aqueon 30 hob, and Aquatic life 115 skimmer

hmmm. Sure is puzzling. Have you tryed a blackout for say 24 hours

 

[sansouci01]

Haven't tried that. I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank and this happens from time to time. I was told that the film was a layer of protein and better water movement would help and it does on my big tank but so far doesn't help help on this salt tank.

 

[Mattyfelts]

Haven't tried that. I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank and this happens from time to time. I was told that the film was a layer of protein and better water movement would help and it does on my big tank but so far doesn't help help on this salt tank.

sounds like it makes sense. Maybe put ur power heads to blow toward the filtration or up to break up the water a lot? I'm really not to sure

 

[sansouci01]

Thanks.
Going to my lfs tomorrow. Will have to ask. I'm really excited about getting some fish when the cycle is complete so I hope this won't be a set back. this is my first salt tank.

 

[Fresh2o]

Here's something you could try. Take a sheet of paper towel and place it on the surface and quickly remove it. A lot of the protein film will stick to the paper towel. You can repeat as needed. Not a permanent fix but should remove most of it.

 

[Fishman007]

sounds like it makes sense. Maybe put ur power heads to blow toward the filtration or up to break up the water a lot? I'm really not to sure

OP has done that already

 

[Fishman007]

Thanks.
Going to my lfs tomorrow. Will have to ask. I'm really excited about getting some fish when the cycle is complete so I hope this won't be a set back. this is my first salt tank.

Do a 10% water change to get all of the film off the surface. Could be Cyanobacteria or algea growing on the surface... Point the 2nd powerhead towards the surface and does you skimmer skim the surface or the water?