Scummy Film

[moxy]

hi, i have recently set up a 125L tank, have external filter, water tests are good, few fish doing ok , but there is a thin film on surface of water, if you drag your finger in it it forms a white layer on it. have scooped most of it off the water today but im a bit concerned what it could be. any advise greatly accepted thanks moxy

 

[Ben M]

hi, can you alter the filter outlet so that it agitates the water surface? that should get rid of it.

cheers

 

[moxy]

thanks , will try that

 

[Ashley1991]

I had that on my surface just like pest control said point a powerhead/filter outlet up to the surface and it should sort it

Ash

 

[waterdrop]

Hi moxy and Welcome to TFF!

Sorry if I just missed your other threads but what method did you use for cycling?

What sort of make/model of water testing kit do you use?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[moxy]

hi, im using a Nutrafin mini master test kid, regulaly testing nitrite, nitrate and amonia . results all good (have high ph in my area though)
tanks is fluval 125 running a 205 external filter , have 4 glowlight tetras and one bottom feeder (cant remember what its called but it sucks onto glass and rocks and eats algae) .
water very clear , im doing regular 20 percent water changes. had intended on doing a full fishless cycle but being new to aquariums was convinced by the guy in the fish shop that provided my water tests were ok then fish could go in earlier. i did set up using nutrafin cycle and aqua plus. has been running just over a month now and fortunatly the only problem seems to be this thin layer on top of water, which now i have scooped most of it off and altered the water inlet it seems to be clearing.
i think i have been lucky and my fish have not suffered but i do think that rather than just convincing people to buy fish asap they (the proffesionals) should give the best advise to prevent fish going into unprepared tanks.
any good advice that anyone has is greatly appreciated
thanks moxy

 

[waterdrop]

OK, good that you had a good test kit to help you with the Fish-In Cycle but how about the info for what constitutes "results all good?" Was that based on the test kit or LFS person? Often these sources will not make it clear that ammonia and nitrite(NO2) levels need to stay below 0.25ppm all throughout the month or so of cycling. Are they staying solidly at zero all the time now?

Often a paper towel briefly floated on the surface can help remove a film.

~~waterdrop~~