skin on the water

[windex780mg]

A few weeks ago I set up my thrity gallon tank that I'd used before. well it's been running with a fluval 205, heater and pool filter sand and no fish. it's developed a thin skin on the surface of the water that is really gross and scares me. what is it how can I get rid of it??

 

[pitbullfish]

sounds to me that the sand might not have been cleaned out properly.....

 

[OnceLoyal]

Same as pit said. I would try and physically remove it for sure. I don't like crap like that in my filter, especially if it is just being set up. Mot a nice way to start out. Just change the water starting from the top

 

[Bawb2u]

Do you have any surface agitation? A hang-on filter would break that up.

 

[windex780mg]

I thought I read on here that you don't have to wash pool filter sand...? I have a few hang on filters i could bust out to agitate the surface, I really think it's something from the last set up because i got the tank running again in like 5 hours so the crap survived the tear down
I just wondered what it was and how to get rid of it, maybe use a chemical since there's no fish or plants in there and it could be I while before I've got time to take care of fish

 

[Bawb2u]

I thought I read on here that you don't have to wash pool filter sand...? I have a few hang on filters i could bust out to agitate the surface, I really think it's something from the last set up because i got the tank running again in like 5 hours so the crap survived the tear down
I just wondered what it was and how to get rid of it, maybe use a chemical since there's no fish or plants in there and it could be I while before I've got time to take care of fish

You don't need towash pool filter sand. The surface tension of the water will hold any dust or crap in the air that falls on it and that will cause that skin. You just need to break the surface tension. A hang on filter or a powerhead near the surface will give enought agitation to solve the problem.