Fish tank question

[ezmobee]

I have a 16 gallon freshwater tropical fish tank. I have one of those Eclipse tanks with everything built into the hood. Been pretty pleased with it. My tank is mostly pretty clean and the fish are healthy. However I've been having this problem for the past few months. I get a build up on the surface of the water of little white spots floating around. Looks like calcium or something.

Tank is clear otherwise

Anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? I've cleaned the tank and done water exchanges. I've let the water level evaporate down a bit which gives some relief because all the white stuff sticks to the sides of the tank above the water line as the level drops and I can wipe it off from there. But it comes right back.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Fish tank question

Do you have a bunch of house plants?
A friend had a similar issue (if not the same) and it was pollen from his house plants....he has a near-jungle in his house, though.
A few pots won't do it.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Fish tank question

it doesnt look like you have much if any water movement in the tank. no bubbler either? which would help move the water. it may be calcium just floating and more noticeable since its not being pushed around.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fish tank question

Nope. I don't have any house plants on that floor of the house (and not many period).

I have pretty good water movement from the filter pump. You can see the water pouring out on the right side of the first pic.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Fish tank question

are those plants real?
id try adding an aerator just too see what happens....cheap and easy

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Fish tank question

I have the same stuff in my tank. I've always assumed it was from the food. There's also a piece of driftwood in there that's pretty old. It could be breaking down. If there's anything in your tank that's organic it might be coming from it.

My fishies are cool with it. Whatever it is.

 

[rbh]

Re: Fish tank question

Does fish Doo Doo float???

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fish tank question

Yeah my fish don't seem to mind. However I sure do! Sometimes it gets bad enough that I don't know how the fish can tell it from the food. The plants are fake. There is a piece of driftwood in there.

 

[4poco]

Re: Fish tank question

Not saying this is your problem, but after reading everyones post. I would take out your driftwood , change 3/4 of your water and see if that cures it. I added a piece of driftwood to mine once and had same problem. There are organic parisites in driftwood. Boiling it didnt help much for me. it finally give all my fish parasites .. they all died over time. Worth a try, calcium wont make your water like that. just a thought.........

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fish tank question

My driftwood has been in there for 2 years. Does that make any difference?

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Fish tank question

If I didn't know better, I would say it looks like you've been grinding on a 'glasser' with the garage entrance door open

Have or do you add tap water when needed, I had something similar years ago that was due to not using distilled water{just let it sit 24 hrs or so}. Another cause could be a previous leak fix with the wrong stuff breaking down...just a thought.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Fish tank question

I too am not entirely sure what it is, but while i was between stages with my tank it sat for some time with no fish, just live rock, water, and no filtration, no lights, although there was a powerhead (basically a submersible pump, not half an outboard) thrown in there for some circulation. After a while i would get surface build up similar to that but a day with the protein skimmer and it was crystal clear again. Not sure if this helps.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fish tank question

protein skimmer

Now that sounds like something I should look into.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Fish tank question

My driftwood has been in there for 2 years. Does that make any difference?

Mine's been in there for probably 8-10 years. This could be the cause. It DOES kinda look like that film of stuff you'd see on an old pond. And yes, a skimmer should remove it.

I just noticed that we're both using the exact same type of food too. -and that you found the sliding top as useless as I did.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Fish tank question

It is decaying detritus from the gravel in the bottom of the tank, or at least it is in mine. The 15% water changes biweekly aren't enough to get all the junk out of the gravel and over time it accumulates. As it breaks down the proteins float to the top. I did not have any luck making a protein skimmer work in a freshwater tank, although it kickes butt in a reef environment.
OH and right on with the food and the lid.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Fish tank question

before investing in a protein skimmer that is used mostly (I've never heard of one used in fresh) for salt water, go get a gravel vacuum. use it every other week.
how many and what type of filters do you use? when I took my tank down I ran under gravel and hanging filters as well as protein skimmer.
Have you made any changes to the tank lately? Could be ICK floating around. otherwise probably just some form of algae.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Fish tank question

It's protein problem. If you had constant agitation you may seen foam. It's the same thing you see in rivers and streams that have foam on the banks.

Get yourself 2 things. Better filtration and a gravel cleaner.

I use marineland filters with the Biowheel.
Usually this happens when the filtration isn't up to par. Or you are feeding your food too much.

To get rid of this, make sure you filter is up and running. Get your self a gravel cleaner. Not expensive. Start cleaning the gravel, until you get about 1/4 of the water is gone. Refill. (use sparingly but water conditioner to remove the chlorine from the tap.) Add salt to the tank (assuming you have a freshwater tank). You can use the normal table salt but make sure it does not have iodine. About a 1/4 teaspoon.
Do this every other or every third day.
Keep doing this till the proteins are gone.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Fish tank question

Thanks for the info guys. Buzz I have all the things you suggested. Marineland filter with biowheel (eclipse tank) and I have a gravel vacuum. I'll just do more cleanings more often and add the salt. I really didn't think I was over feeding but perhaps I was. Thanks again.

 

[Skiuseme]

Re: Fish tank question

On thing that I have found that works great for me to take care of surface aggitation and keep clear water is a Surface Skimmer. you might have to do some modifications to it to get it to fit but they really do help.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCa...USD-18645##8##m&query=surface&hits=12&offset=