So my tank is finally full

[J-Money]

So my tank is finally full, , and I think my powerhead might be pointed down a little too much. My sand in certain spots of the tank is blown totally away. So I go to try and even out the sand and move rock and notice there is a black line around the rock. I'm assuming this is die off, do I need to get a soft toothbrush and scrub this off or will this decomposing help with the cycling?

 

[J-Money]

also my tank was between 82-83degrees for a few days, i've been tryin' to cool it down and right now it's at 81.5degrees if that helps

 

[Great Lakes]

I wouldn't scrub the rock. But I would run a siphom hose over them to remove all the loose stuff.

And yes, the dieoff will help your cycling.

GL

 

[J-Money]

ok, now there seems to be a film at the top of the tank...Did I probably introduce something into the tank or is this normal?

 

[TBLightningFan]

The film is something that can be solved if you provide something to constantly break the water surface. I have a powerhead that points towards the surface and keeps it moving. That helps a lot. I have been told that the film is mainly organic material. It can hinder oxygen exchange into the water.

I would imagine you are running a protein skimmer. After I installed a higher capacity skimmer. It helped the problem a lot. But I am still a semi-newbie. See what the LFS says or one of the veterans on here.

 

[Navarre]

Yep basically thats most likely the cause. place a powerhead near the surface so the water surface is broken.

 

[J-Money]

Thanks guys. I'll make sure I break the surface tension up more. I haven't started running my skimmer yet cuz I heard you don't really want to start running it until you're almost done cylcling...so should I just plug my skimmer in now then?

 

[TBLightningFan]

Thanks guys. I'll make sure I break the surface tension up more. I haven't started running my skimmer yet cuz I heard you don't really want to start running it until you're almost done cylcling...so should I just plug my skimmer in now then?

The skimmer is a judgment call. But breaking up the surface with a powerhead will be a 100% improvement.

 

[Navarre]

Turn the skimmer on.

A skimmer will not remove anything that isnt in the water already... Thus, a new tank doesnt usually show any signs of nutrients in the cup0. However, once the fih ect strart gong in then it will kick in. So IMO i would turn it on and if/when there are nutrients available then it will start removing them.