[MaineAquatics]

I've had my 10g tank I'm setting up full of water, with just a powerhead running to keep things circulating.. however I noticed today a clear film has developed on the surface of the water.. has a hazy milky appearance and feels like a runny gel... what could this be? (there are no fish or plants in the tank and lights are not running)

It's been running for about 2 weeks

 

[WallaceGrover]

Probably a harmless biofilm, but the milky bit throws me off...

 

[MaineAquatics]

well I wouldn't say milky but its not perfectly clear.

I tested for ammonia and it came up 0


....

 

[chiefroastbeef]

It is absolutely normal, it is basically in all tanks. It comes from the fish food, and fish waste. If you truly never want to see it again, get a surface skimmer, which skims the water surface to rid it of biofilm. I have a surface skimmer in my tank, and my water surface is crystal clear.

 

[MaineAquatics]

I don't have any fish in the tank.. and I haven't used any food..

 

[chiefroastbeef]

I don't have any fish in the tank.. and I haven't used any food..

Then throw your tank away, it is ruined.

 

[MaineAquatics]

Ok but I did that but when I dropped it in the trash it was really loud and everything shattered, I think it ripped the trash bag too, what do I do now?

 

[shinycard255]

Go get a new tank

 

[Geminiluna]

Hey MaineAquatics, I think this is fairly common and accepted as "normal" though it's annoying. Some thought that it could be what's called "Eisen Bacteria" if that's a match for what you're describing.

I think I've had it on all my tanks at some point and it just comes and goes. It was worst on a tank that was set up below a cold air return vent, and despite the aquarium having a canopy, I wondered if I was getting "particles" from the air circulation dropping down into it and making it worse. Here's one thread about it: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/78685-iron-bacteria-eisen-bacteria-2.html

Although those people were already having established tanks, unlike yours which is new without fish/feeding. Take a look and see if that's what you think you're dealing with or not, particularly the link in the first post to see if that's a match.

As for my own tanks - I've found no harmful effect on the fish - even the fish that take flakes from the top don't seem to be affected by it. And when I do a water change, I make sure to use a paper towel to wipe the glass every so often as the water level decreases, and that seems to help for a time. ANd like I said - it just seems to come and go on mine and so I've stopped paying attention to it.

 

[szenic]

Hey MaineAquatics, I think this is fairly common and accepted as "normal" though it's annoying. Some thought that it could be what's called "Eisen Bacteria" if that's a match for what you're describing.

I think I've had it on all my tanks at some point and it just comes and goes. It was worst on a tank that was set up below a cold air return vent, and despite the aquarium having a canopy, I wondered if I was getting "particles" from the air circulation dropping down into it and making it worse. Here's one thread about it: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/78685-iron-bacteria-eisen-bacteria-2.html

Although those people were already having established tanks, unlike yours which is new without fish/feeding. Take a look and see if that's what you think you're dealing with or not, particularly the link in the first post to see if that's a match.

As for my own tanks - I've found no harmful effect on the fish - even the fish that take flakes from the top don't seem to be affected by it. And when I do a water change, I make sure to use a paper towel to wipe the glass every so often as the water level decreases, and that seems to help for a time. ANd like I said - it just seems to come and go on mine and so I've stopped paying attention to it.

Good to know its normal... I have this happen to my betta tank the next morning when the AC was on during the night. OR now when the window is slightly open over a cold night there is this film over the top.

 

[JasonG75]

just point the more to the surface and it will break it up.

 

[MaineAquatics]

Hey MaineAquatics, I think this is fairly common and accepted as "normal" though it's annoying. Some thought that it could be what's called "Eisen Bacteria" if that's a match for what you're describing.

I think I've had it on all my tanks at some point and it just comes and goes. It was worst on a tank that was set up below a cold air return vent, and despite the aquarium having a canopy, I wondered if I was getting "particles" from the air circulation dropping down into it and making it worse. Here's one thread about it: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/78685-iron-bacteria-eisen-bacteria-2.html

Although those people were already having established tanks, unlike yours which is new without fish/feeding. Take a look and see if that's what you think you're dealing with or not, particularly the link in the first post to see if that's a match.

As for my own tanks - I've found no harmful effect on the fish - even the fish that take flakes from the top don't seem to be affected by it. And when I do a water change, I make sure to use a paper towel to wipe the glass every so often as the water level decreases, and that seems to help for a time. ANd like I said - it just seems to come and go on mine and so I've stopped paying attention to it.

thanks!!