Surface film back - AGAIN

[rdd1952]

I took down one of my 2.5 gallon tanks last week and completely cleaned it. I scrubbed it good for about 15 minutes with a mild bleach and water mixture (20-1). I then filled it up, put in a new filter and let it run for about 8 hours to let any bleach that may have not gotten rinsed was gone. I emptied it, added gravel, a new plant and water and started a fishless cycle. I now have the film back on top. I can't figure out where it is coming from. I made 100% certain that nothing that had been in contact with one of the other tanks came into contact with this tank. I can only assume that it is coming from the tap water. Here are a couple photos but it is hard to really get a good pic of it.

Any ideas on how I can get rid of it or what may be causing it? My tap water parameters are fine, no ammonia, nitrite, nitrate or phosphates. pH about 6.8 to 7.0 and KH = 1.

 

[Mr Miagi]

So there is no fish in there?

 

[rdd1952]

Nothing but 2 plants, a filter, gravel and ammonia. It's about to drive me crazy.

 

[Tolak]

Most tanks will get some surface film if there is not enough surface movement. It can some from food, fish waste, particles in the air from cooking, cleaning, a lot of sources. If you add an air stone it should clear it up.

Tolak

 

[Dorkhedeos]

it should be fine. just wait until it is fully cycled and see what happens

 

[OohFeeshy]

Blot it off as much as you can, then see what happens. Since there is nothing particularly to look at, it doesn't matter that much at the moment.

 

[Grey Legion]

I get a film off and on in my tank for years...never been a problem and it alwasy seems to go away on it's own...don't panic it will be ok it should not cause harm to any fish or plants...it is just unsightly to have a oil slick on the surface of the tank...keep a good system for water changes and try to get a little surface movement and you'll see thing improve !!

Good luck

 

[rdd1952]

I guess I need to get a small air pump. The only way to get surface disturbance with the whisper 10 filter is to leave the water level down an inch or 2. It has been a constant problem with all my tanks. Because of this, I decided to use Fluval cannister filters with surface skimmers on my new 75 gallon

 

[BettaMomma]

1 great way to take care of that, and it's suface agitation.
A bubble bar across a couple inches in the back of the tank with a pretty low bubble emission will do the trick.
The only one of my betta tanks that gets the icky film across the top of the tank is Harvey's, and that's cuz that's the only tank that doesn't have any type of airstone in his tank!