Major Bio Film In A Fluval Spec V Tank

[gale]

My daughter and I have the same exact tank. Same water, same conditioner, etc. Everything was rinsed well with hot water before putting it in the tanks. No soap, no lotion on hands, etc. Also, no fish. I have started my cycle but hers has not. (I've paused my cycling while waiting on chemicals from dr tim's). So anyway her tank has a pretty thick bio film on it. I think it may have been because the heater was right in front of the filter outlet and it was limiting the top surface movement. I moved the heater and the top surface is moving better, but there is a big part of the tank where the water doesn't move at all. Do I need to put an air stone in that area? Or are there other methods? Does the air stone have to be at the surface of the water or at the bottom or does it matter. As we watch the water swirling none of the bio film stuff seems to be going into the filter inlet (which I believe is the series of long holes at the top, next to the sponge). Would you add a sponge filter? Or just an air stone? Or a combo? 
 
also, my tank doesn't have any bio film. But I didn't have a heater in front of the outlet. 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Biofilm is the natural protector for the bacterias

 
This is actually good, means the bacteria are making a home for themselves and the biofilm will go away after a short time but the bacteria will stay.
 
As long as there is water movement and flow is going around the tank, thats fine, don'e worry too much but if you want the addition of airstones, that is fine, anywhere you want it is ok but not essential.
 
A heater and water circulation with the filter is pretty much all you need to get the cycle process going to keep the bacteria happy.
 
 
"An optimal temperature by having a heater set to between 75F and 85F (24C and 29C). Lower tends to slow the cycle while higher won’t make things go even faster."
 
From the forum fishless cycle article.

 

[gale]

Good to know! My daughter was upset thinking something was wrong with her setup. The water is at 82 consistently right now (we keep our a/c at 81 and her room is warmer due to craptastic air circulation in the ducts) so we haven't put the heaters on yet. This winter it will be though-we keep the heat at around 70-72.