Fun Reappearing Film

[Gemtrox42]

I've had a tank for two years, and never had any film problems before now. Around four months ago, I started noticing a film building up on the surface of my water. After a month, I started using a baster to suck up the patches that were forming when doing my weekly clean. Now I'm skimming the surface with a cup to remove it all, and it comes back within days. I tried more frequent cleanings, changing the filter more often, removing my newest decorations (fake floating logs), and it just keeps coming. The only major change I made recently was swapping out my broken hang-on filter for a hand-me-down of the same model from a family friend, although I have no idea how that would affect this. Appreciate any ideas!

 

[Glenn407]

Did this start AFTER the filter was replaced?

 

[Gemtrox42]

Did this start AFTER the filter was replaced?

I don't remember unfortunately. My gut says no but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[Glenn407]

Just wondering if the filter was making noise and the guy put oil or vaseline around the impeller.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Is it not just biofilm? If you agitate the surface either with a bubbler or having the return fall from above the surface it will go away

 

[Gemtrox42]

Is it not just biofilm? If you agitate the surface either with a bubbler or having the return fall from above the surface it will go away

I've been using a hob filter and had no biofilm problems before now. But that reminds me, this was around the same time I started getting algae which I never had before either. If this stuff is biofilm, I'm almost certain it was caused by liquid ferts Im using to try and improve my plants. Not that they are helping any...

 

[CarissaT]

I did a major cleaning of my filter this week and ended up with a biofilm. It‘s sometimes just a side effect of some bacterial imbalance that corrects itself, not sure if your new filter is still settling in.

 

[Gemtrox42]

not sure if your new filter is still settling in.

That takes more than a few months?

 

[CarissaT]

That takes more than a few months?

Sorry, didn’t notice it‘s been a few months since you changed your filter ! Nope that’s not going to be the issue.

Are your water changes being done regularly? Any new food being used around that time?

 

[Gemtrox42]

Are your water changes being done regularly? Any new food being used around that time?

No new food. I do my water changes weekly, 1/4th