white film on water surface?

[dolphinstj]

I have had eight fish fatalities in a month in my 20. First I thought it was the PH because it was just above eight. So I got that controled with ph tablets ( I used tablets cause my tap has a PH of 8 so changing water wouldnt help much.) I put in three more fish and two have died withen a week. I have noticed just recently a white film covering the surface of the water and I do not know what's going on. Also, I have a 4 inch pleco who has survived it all. In fact he has became more active instead of hiding durring the day. Any ideas???

 

[rvm]

not sure what the white film is, but have you kept a close check on your Ph as you use those tablets? Any kind of Ph altering chemical can play havoc and cause Ph crashes. I would use them very cautiously and only if you have to. In most cases, the fish will quite happily live in your water as long as it is stable. I have had Neon Tetras in water with a Ph of around 8.2 and they've been perfectly happy!!!

 

[samthefishman]

Plec's are the last things to die.
My entire Comunity was infected with white spot and all of them died. Cept my Pleco which i still have now. They are very tough fish

 

[Joviella]

Chemicals,including medications can cause a film on the water surface. I would suggest daily water changes and I would suggest that you avoid trying to alter your ph. Hope this helps.

 

[babyfish]

The film's caused by protein in the food and fish waste, either disturb the surface of your tank with the filter outlet or skim it with kitchen towels, simply lay them on the surface and lift off

Also it's not worth messing with your ph, any fish bought at your local fish store will be used to the local water conditions and you will be stressing them.

 

[dolphinstj]

OK now you guys have me freaking out. I had some firemouths (1 1/2's) in there with 6 zebra's. They were living fine for about 1 and 1/2 weeks. Then i left for the weekend and came home; they were all dead. So I did about 5 water changes over the next week and waited one more week to add any more fish. I put 3 fish in it and one died the first night. The only leval that was high was the PH. So I use the tabs and the second death came 2 nights later. I see no signs of stress of parasites. What the heck is killing my fish??? I am about to give up on this tank and just switch the fish to my other tanks but I am afraid to because I cant figure out what is wrong and do not want to transfer something if it is some kind of unseen parasite. sorry bout the long post, I am just really frustrated with losing fish.