Habitat - Indoor :: White film inside tank?

[kristi393]

I have a 20 gallon tank, and every week, I have a thin white film covering the top of the water. Its not throughout the entire tank, just floating on top. I do feed them crickets, and I thought that maybe the crickets were the cause, but it forms on the top of the water if there are crickets in there or not. Does anyone have any idea what it is and how I can prevent it? I know that I need to get a better filter, but I still dont know what it is.

Any suggestions on a good filter?

[ohiolobo]

I had a similar thing on my 20 gallon tank for the first couple of weeks after setting things up. It was an oily looking white film on the surface of the water in my tank. I could skim it off with a paper towel and considerable patience.

The film eventually went away on its own after about a month. I attributed it to an imbalance in the normal flora of the tank. Once things stabilized, it went away and has not come back.

How long has your tank been set up ?

[marisa]

It could be protein residue from feeding (do you feed in the tank), which can collect in a thin film over the top of the water. Are you using a filter? If the water is standing/not being agitated enough, it will encourage the film to develop.

For smaller tanks, I've found the AquaClear filter to be effective. It's a power filter that hangs on the side of the tank, and the water level must be high for it to work well. I'm using an Aquaclear 110 in a 40-gallon tank with small turts now. For a 20-gallon, I'd be tempted to say the AquaClear 70 (was the 300), but I don't know what you have in the tank (bigger turt/s or other creatures?) or if you plan to get a bigger tank soon. If so, I'd get the 110 (was the 500).

[kristi393]

Well, I do have an aqua clear filter, but it doesnt seem to be working very well, I just bought a fluval 3 plus online. I have a 20 gal. tank. I hope it does a better job than the aqua clear.

Buying online is way better than the pet store. Petco is great.

[marisa]

Wow--what number AquaClear--110/500? 70/300? Smaller (which is too small)? I just switched from the Fluval 4+ (which for me was miserable) to the AquaClear 110/500 in a 40-gallon and can't believe the difference. Good luck cleaning the 4+.

[cam722]

I have an aquaclear filter too.. got some extension tubes so it reaches to the bottom of the tank.. does a wonderful job.. but I have the 500 in a 75gal tank, let's see how good it does.. but I love Aquaclear so far. I had another in my 20gal tank too.