dirty water

[pikey0151]

i cleaned my fish tank only 3 days ago and there is already alot of backteria build up and the top of the water is like a film on top???

i have two fish tanks an the big one has never done this before (6x3x2) the one i have upstairs 3x2x1 does this, could anyone tell me why this happens?

 

[ar0wan]

sounds like the water was contaminated by oils or soap during the change
syphon off the top water, doing about 10-20% wc daily and it should go away
Did you add new decor that has been sitting out dry for awhile?

 

[pikey0151]

there was no soap in this water, i took the rocks and orniments out and havnt put them bk yt so i dont know aht it could be?

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

i was thinking it could be the lack of surface movement?

 

[jcardona1]

Surface film is usually due to an excess or proteins/nutrients in the water. Bigger and more frequent water changes should help. Do you have a canister filter? If so, Fluval's surface skimmer attachment will clear it up in a matter of seconds.

 

[kjfan1]

Skimmer of some sort it my rec. jcardona has got it down.

 

[ar0wan]

Surface film is usually due to an excess or proteins/nutrients in the water. Bigger and more frequent water changes should help. Do you have a canister filter? If so, Fluval's surface skimmer attachment will clear it up in a matter of seconds.

*DING DING DING*

 

[pikey0151]

i have a fluval 4 plus witch is for 4ft fish tanks, there is no scimmer attachment to it! were can i buy an attachment?

 

[jcardona1]

i have a fluval 4 plus witch is for 4ft fish tanks, there is no scimmer attachment to it! were can i buy an attachment?

here's what it looks like. Any good online retailer should carry this. They're about $10

 

[xRage10]

i was thinking it could be the lack of surface movement?

You don't need a surface skimmer. When I first set up my 55, I had the same issue with the film on the surface. All you need is a little extra something to break the water tension, as ballinouttacntrol already said. I added a cool little decorative volcano with an airstone inside of it and the film is long gone. However, just an airstone or 2 should be fine.