Water Problem....

[MoreCoffee]

After setting up a new small (40ltrs) planted tank, everything looked fine for a few days.
However after about 3 days I started to notice a 'smokey' film on the surface. One day it even looked 'oily'. The water below the surface is totally clear.

I have been adding a very small (and I mean very small) pinch of fishfood to the tank every 2 or 3 days
to aid in a 'fishless' cycle. (As described on Practical Fishkeeping's website).
Prior to the 100% water change the tank did appear to be cycling. Nitrites were up, but with all the changes in filtration, docor and water I think it would need to start cycling again.

Tank details:

Capacity = 40ltrs
Filtration = Eden 501 external filter (upto 60L)
Lighting = 1 x 36W T5 compact (interpet daylight plus)
Substrate = Eco-complete
CO2 = DIY
Fert = Seachem Flourish / Flourish Iron / Flourish Excel
Decor = Plants / Bogwood / Rocks
Fish = NONE (I'm not adding any until I know the water is sorted out!)

I've tried the following to clear it (not in any particular order):

> Additional filtration - Eheim internal 2208 filter (upto 60L). Used alone and in conjunction with the
Eden 501. = That broke the film up but it returned within a few hours
>50% water change = no change
>100% water change = film returned within 12 hrs
>Remove the bogwood and rocks = no change
>Remove the CO2 = Only removed it today, so cant say !
>Stopped using Ferts = no change
>Stopped adding pinch of fish food = no change after 4 days

I've tried most of the above at the same time, with no change !

I feel that I've pretty much ruled out everything in the tank (I dont think it could be the Eco-complete), so not really sure what else it can be.

My only other thought is that as this is an open tank, somebody in the house is spraying something and it's settling on the water. This might explain the time it appeared 'oily'. Most of the time it looks like a cloudy/smokey gray film on the surface that breaks up if the water surface is aggitated.

Any ideas, before I give up on this tank (or go insane!

Mr G

 

[gizmo001i]

This could be the normal film that you can get from ( i think) Calcium or Carbon build up. The best way to solve this, is to allow your filter outlet to continuosly break the surface slightly. This will clear the filmover a day or so and keep it clear. It is nothing to worry about as it is very normal.

 

[MoreCoffee]

This could be the normal film that you can get from ( i think) Calcium or Carbon build up. The best way to solve this, is to allow your filter outlet to continuosly break the surface slightly. This will clear the filmover a day or so and keep it clear. It is nothing to worry about as it is very normal.

Many thanks....

It would be good if that is the problem ...... I dont get it on my other tank (same water source), but that is
a different tank with different filtration, so it may not be apparent on that tank.
To be honest I want too worried about the 'smokey' film ... it what when it seemed 'oily' that I got worried.
Y'know the way you see colours on the surface with oil ... well I saw a duller version of that !

Should also add that since the big water changes I've not taken any readings, prior to that they were what I would expect for a cycling tank ... although the NO2 reading did rise much quicker than I expected.

........ I'll rework the filter outlet tonight ... I hope that's the answer.

Mr G

 

[oldwhitewood]

You should keep the surface as clean as possible, remove any debris, dead leaves etc as this will contribute to the surface scum. I get it in my tank sometimes but it normally just goes of it's own accord, as already set positioning your outlet on the surface will break it up. I have had it quite thick and oil before but that was during the initial cycling of the tank.

 

[MoreCoffee]

You should keep the surface as clean as possible, remove any debris, dead leaves etc as this will contribute to the surface scum. I get it in my tank sometimes but it normally just goes of it's own accord, as already set positioning your outlet on the surface will break it up. I have had it quite thick and oil before but that was during the initial cycling of the tank.

Ahhhh.......

"have had it quite thick and oil before but that was during the initial cycling of the tank."

Then that could explain it, as the tank is new and is/was cycling.

Many thanks

Mr G

 

[oldwhitewood]

Yep, let the filter mature, keep the plant debris to a minimum, keep up your water changes and drive off the surface scum as and when is needed, It will go eventually.

 

[wesleydnunder]

It could be oils from the fish food also. I've noticed it before when I've started my ammonia off with fish food.

Mark

 

[MoreCoffee]

It could be oils from the fish food also. I've noticed it before when I've started my ammonia off with fish food.

Mark

I did think about that and stopped adding the fish food. I didnt add any more after the 100% water change and it still came back after a few hours..

I'm going to rework the filter tonight, put the CO2 back in and see how it goes for a couple of days.

Thanks for the replies !


Mr G

 

[plantropimunity]

i have the same kind of film on the surface of my tank.
i went crazy a day or so ago and used a small plastic cup with a pouring spout to do a surface skim. my tank water is perfectly clear, but there is still the film today. (i just looked) my tank is about one week into the cycle, so it is good to hear that this is normal.

 

[Mikaila31]

I've always thought my surface scum was from my DIY co2. It gets really thick if i don't clean it off(thick enough to hold large bubbles under it). The water is always very clear, the scum never seems to bother the fish. Also i know swordtails and platies will eat the stuff . I don't think it is caused by food cuz this tank has no fish in it and is uncycled at the momment. I have but no food in for at least a week and i still get scum. I have not seen a difference in the amount of scum on the surface when fish are in the tank or not. Gizmo001i could be right about it being a calcium build up, I'm not sure though.

 

[plantropimunity]

drs foster and smith sell a surface skimmer which is advocated as a way to remove dissolved proteins. is that what that is?

 

[Dubby]

drs foster and smith sell a surface skimmer which is advocated as a way to remove dissolved proteins. is that what that is?

Thats normally used with marine tanks. Most freshwater tanks do not need a skimmer.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Thanks for the replies everybody.

The problem I had with the surface film has cleared. I think in this case it was just part of the tank cycling.

A little time and a little surface aggitation and it has all gone.

Thanks
Mr G

 

[steve711]

I read somewhere the surface film you are seeing is related to iron, possibly an excess, and as you already are aware, it's not really harmful just unsightly.

If you're using CO2 you ideally want to keep surface agitation to a minimum to reduce CO2 loss.

 

[aloaring]

Just wanted to say that i used to have this all the time on my tank until i got some endlers, i believe thay actually eat this film. I'm sure thats gff put a platy in his tank. Saves on buying a skimmer!!