Unknown Film?

[Micro Rams]

Hey guys,

I set up a 20g planted tank and its been going for about a week, and i noticed this translucent film over the surface, and when i messed with it, it would get all silky. Its weird. I was wondering if any of you all have seen anything like this before?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
It is a bacterial fungal film. Have a look at <"Skeptical Aquarist: Surface Scum">. You can treat the symptom with increased surface agitation.

It maybe because your plants are shedding their old leaves which they grew when they were being produced emersed. It should go over time if you keep removing the dead leaves.

Another possibility is do you have any new wood in the tank? This can contain sugars etc that will feed a fungal bacterial bloom.

cheers Darrel

 

[Micro Rams]

So I've read both sides about water agitation in a planted tank using co2 injection, this is my first planted tank and im using a fluval CO2 kit with it, its super simple from what the instructions say. But what ive read is that you lose alot of the co2 you put into the tank. I have a canister filter that doesnt mess with the surface much, and i also do have new wood in the tank that i bought from petco (it said it was mopani driftwood). I'm hoping that it will clear on its own, and if thats the case, then i'll just deal with it at every water change. And i'll keep an eye on the plants.

Is there anything you suggest i do to the wood? or should i just leave it be until the tank is cycled and starts going on its own? Thank you for the help.

 

[gerald]

Lay a paper towel across the water surface at one end, drag it across the tank and out the other side. The scum will stick to it.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

So I've read both sides about water agitation in a planted tank using co2 injection, this is my first planted tank and im using a fluval CO2 kit with it, its super simple from what the instructions say. But what ive read is that you lose alot of the co2 you put into the tank.

OK. I'm not now, nor have I ever been, a CO2 user, but a lot of my friends are. Have a look at <"UKAPS: Using a drop checker"> and <"UKAPS: Understanding CO2 and pH levels">.

I have a canister filter that doesnt mess with the surface much.

Basically you need some surface agitation to add oxygen and de-gas the CO2 at night.

I also do have new wood in the tank that i bought from petco (it said it was mopani driftwood). I'm hoping that it will clear on its own, and if thats the case, then i'll just deal with it at every water change. And i'll keep an eye on the plants. Is there anything you suggest i do to the wood?

It is quite likely the source of the white threads is the Mopani, just keep changing the water.

or should i just leave it be until the tank is cycled and starts going on its own? Thank you for the help.

If you mean adding ammonia to cycle the tank? you can stop. Planted tanks are never cycled in the way a "fish only" tank would be. You are not reliant on the filter bacteria and the microbial community developed under high ammonia loading is totally different to the microbiota in an established biofilter. Have a look at <PlanetCatfish: One organism ....>.

cheers Darrel