My smallest tank has been running for over a year now. The inhabitants have not changed, my cleaning methods have not changed. The water parameters are great and the feeding schedule is normal. But for two weeks now (since I changed out the filter pads) I have been getting literally hundreds of tiny flies on the glass cover under the light. To be clear, they are appearing on the underside of the lid, directly under the light where the water hits from the air stone. I wipe them off twice per day. Did a massive water change. Cleaned all plastic plants, scrubbed the walls of the tank and cleaned out the filter itself but they just keep appearing. I can only guess there were eggs on the new filter pad, but has anyone else seen this before (it's definitely a first for me)? Also, any other ideas of what I can do to get rid of them?
Tank has spontaneously created life.
- Thread starter Crunchy
- Start date
I've been trying to take pictures, but they are so small they don't show up.
When I first saw them, I thought it was algae growing, they are that small. You need to get really up close to even tell that they are flies, but by that point, the camera can't focus.
When I first saw them, I thought it was algae growing, they are that small. You need to get really up close to even tell that they are flies, but by that point, the camera can't focus.
i bet a mosquito was laying eggs in your water.
The best thing to do is tank all the fish out, the water, decorations, the gravel and the filter
so you can clean every part of the tank ( including the filter ).
But it might be a even worse problem. The eggs could of been layed on your fish.
If that is the case put a teaspoon of aquarium salt in your tank.
The best thing to do is tank all the fish out, the water, decorations, the gravel and the filter
so you can clean every part of the tank ( including the filter ).
But it might be a even worse problem. The eggs could of been layed on your fish.
If that is the case put a teaspoon of aquarium salt in your tank.
Oh, I didn't even think they could be mosquitos. It's been so cold here lately, I just figured they were gone for the winter.
I was thinking of a full tear-down of the tank, just not too sure where the fish would go.
Should I let the tank dry out after the scrub down (would that help at all)?
I could definitely try the salt if it would do anything to the eggs, where ever they might be.
I was thinking of a full tear-down of the tank, just not too sure where the fish would go.
Should I let the tank dry out after the scrub down (would that help at all)?
I could definitely try the salt if it would do anything to the eggs, where ever they might be.
try some aquarium salt and lots of wc. this sounds similar to something i had try feeding less to
sounds very similar to the lil' critters I get on my planted tank. They don't seem to bother anything so I don't bother trying to get rid of them. My guppies also seem to enjoy picking them off. They just don't look so nice. I've heard wipeing the rim of the tank with white vinegar ( which is one of the few safe things you can use so close to your water, I wouldn't dump a cup or 2 into your tank as it will effect PH but useing a cloth dampened with it should be 100% safe) will help get rid of them, I just have no patience to do this for the weeks it takes to get rid of every last bugger. I'm pretty sure they live off the algae/bacteria growth created on the outside glass/rim that gets humid, so you may also try raising your hood just enough to get better air-flow under it to discourage the humidity build-up. Water changes and even meds ( neither pimafix 'nore melafix did much to them) don't seem to effect the population on my tank much. keeping the outter sides of the tank does though. I also have floating plants that likely play a role in keeping my bugs happy.
I feel your pain...But I think my situation is worse. I have been battling a mosquito infestation in my tank. I have an electric fly swatter and kill off as many as I can find. Luckily I have a separate fish room from my house so I don't have to worry about the mosquito eating me alive while I sleep or when I'm hanging out just watching TV, but I definitely keep an eye out for them when I'm in the fish room. I have tons of them both alive and dead in my sump...so annoying.