HELP! My fish tank has this slimy stuff allover it

[duanes]

It normally takes about 8 weeks for a tank to become properly cycled (once totally set up).
But you may have sped the process up by adding aquatic plants.
A cycled tank means there is the proper species of ammonia and nitrite comsumming (beneficial) bacteria living as biofilm on rocks, wood, plants, and filter media.
By adding the guppies you have provided a food source for that bacteria (the waste (ammonia and nitrite) they produce.)).
Did the breeder provide you with seasoned substrate, or any of the tanks decor? if so, it may have helped jump start the cycle(?)

 

[alvinguo]

It normally takes about 8 weeks for a tank to become properly cycled (once totally set up).
But you may have sped the process up by adding aquatic plants.
A cycled tank means there is the proper species of ammonia and nitrite comsumming (beneficial) bacteria living as biofilm on rocks, wood, plants, and filter media.
By adding the guppies you have provided a food source for that bacteria (the waste (ammonia and nitrite) they produce.)).
Did the breeder provide you with seasoned substrate, or any of the tanks decor? if so, it may have helped jump start the cycle(?)

he did give me some frogbit and hydrilla, and also some starter bacteria powder thing, and the bedding i used is a mixture between some beddings from an old tank of his and new beddings i bought

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Bottom line is slime stuff is nothing to worry about, and you need to get an API Test Kit for your aquarium. You ABSOLUTELY NEED to make sure it is fully cycled. Mine took around 2 months to cycle.

Here is a thread with links on cycling:

Cycling and You

Fishless tank cycling and associated information... http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207575 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203911 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28654...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[alvinguo]

Bottom line is slime stuff is nothing to worry about, and you need to get an API Test Kit for your aquarium. You ABSOLUTELY NEED to make sure it is fully cycled. Mine took around 2 months to cycle.

Here is a thread with links on cycling:

Cycling and You

Fishless tank cycling and associated information... http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207575 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203911 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28654...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

hmm, alright. BTW, do u happen to know how much is a testing kit?

 

[Deadeye]

30-40 dollars usually.

 

[esoxlucius]

So far this is only a relatively short thread, but already a picture is appearing. Your young age and apparent surprise at some of the issues we've mentioned are telling me that you're somewhat throwing yourself in the deep end here in regards to keeping fish.

The nitrogen cycle, it's not that complicated in its simple terms, is a process which goes on in all aquariums 24/7. You need to familiarise yourself with the basics of this process. There's masses of easy to understand material on the web.

Cycling a tank is how we kick this nitrogen cycle off. The cycle MUST be complete before adding fish, otherwise they become extremely stressed, and may die.

And the only way to know if the cycle is complete is to test your water. YOU CANNOT GUESS, OR GO OFF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAYS. The most common method is by using the API liquid test kit. It will tell you in minutes whether your tank is ready.

And once your tank is ready, and fish are in, well that's only the start of it. You then need to do regular water changes, using dechlorinating products, to keep your water "fresh" so your fish can live happily.

So, I suggest you research "THE NITROGEN CYCLE" and the importance that "WATER CHANGES" play in this cycle. I also urge you to purchase an "API LIQUID TEST KIT".

Once you've got the basics dialled in it's not that difficult. But failure to understand the basics will cause you a lot of grief.

Keep posting, keep us updated, be patient, and you'll get there. And most important of all at this time, research research research.

Good luck.

 

[Gershom]

I am also a newb in a sense, though I kept and raised many fish over the last 45 years, and at one time I had 13 tanks (including two 200 gallon tanks) in my two bedroom apartment. But back then the internet wasn’t available, and I bought lots of books, but didn’t have anyone to ask questions.
So, no, I NEVER cycled a tank, and didn’t see fish suffering from it. (Although I don’t feel confident diagnosing true fish happiness until they reach breeding age…. )

But questions: If 90% or more water changes are fine, then it’s not the water itself which needs to be aged. The filter material, of whatever sort, should have a well established bacterial culture, so does that mean you can “cycle” a new tank by importing a healthy ongoing filter system? If not, why not?

Another issue —I do large water changes, and in a few days there is a slime coat on the tank and any furniture. Is that normal biofilm? I don’t like it!! It’s unsightly and makes the water look cloudy. You said it will take care of itself, but by that time I am doing another water change, so…. WTF? Help !!

 

[jjohnwm]

Well, you may not have been doing it intentionally nor even been aware that you were doing it...but your tanks were indeed becoming cycled. Understanding what is happening will make it less likely that you will do something that negatively affects the cycle, so that's a good thing. Not understanding it won't prevent it from happening, but it puts you at risk of making some easily-avoidable error that can result in disaster.

You're right, the bacteria are not just floating aimlessly around in the water, so it's not the water itself that has cycled. Leaving the water outside in the sun, like the OP did, is pretty much useless. His tank had used filter material and substrate added, which gave him a huge kick-start in the cycling department. Done correctly, that can give you pretty much an "instant" cycled tank. If there is enough material like that introduced from a fully-cycled tank...and if the initial bioload in the new tank is light enough, and feeding is not excessive...then that new tank is no different than an established tank that has just had a 100% water change.

I have no idea why you get that biofilm explosion after each water change; never experienced that myself. I will do a 90% water change, and a few hours after turning the filter back on the tank will look spectacularly clear.

The OP disappeared a month after joining; I read threads like that and always wonder what happened. Did he not like the answers he received to his questions? Did he kill his fish in short order (happens a lot!)? Or is he just ignoring the easily available wealth of information to which we all have access in the modern age, and listening to individuals who tell him that leaving his water out in the sun for a couple weeks is all he needs to do?