Film on top of water in Cichlid tank

[rob]

Just wondering if anyone could suggest a way for me to get a strange oily type film off the top of the water in my Cichlid tank. It is happening in two separate tanks and I have not figured out what is causing it yet. I just need to know what to use to remove the film. (hopefully not a protein skimmer):HP

[vjvl51]

Hi Rob

Protein skimmers don't work that well in fresh water systems, if at all.

Your oily film is probably coming in with your water. I had the same thing until we started filtering our water with a GE SmartWater filter. This has to be soldered into your plumbing. We use the filter that comes with the unit to remove "sand, soil, silt, sediment, rust,"

Using something to keep the surface of the water moving (exampe - power head, air pump) will help get rid of it. Some aquarium filters (Aqua Clear is one that I've seen) now have a surface skimmer attachment for this problem. I've never used one so I can't say how effective they are. You do want to break up this film as it slows down the oxygen/carbon dioxide transfer at the surface.

Vickie

[rob]

I thank you for the response, and it seems to make sense now. The two tanks that do not have the film have much larger filters that use spray bars on the sirface to keep it moving. I will look into the aqua clear you mentioned to see if it will work for me. I do not think I will be able to use a huge water filter ecause I am stuck in a condominium and it is hard to find space for items like that. Again, thank you very much for the repsonse. I think my Cobalt BLue Zebra Cichlid will thank you too!! I can see the oxygen building up in the water and not being release at the surface. Vickie I will let you kno what I try and what seems to work.

-Rob

[vjvl51]

Rob

The unit I have is only about 4 inch in dia and 14 inches high (I measured the box that it came in). I got it from Home Depot for my dishwasher, water softener, etc. It is not that big and will help all your tanks, if you have room for it. Do what is best for you but I thought you might want to know the size involved.

Please let me know what you decide on and how it works.

Vickie

[rob]

Vickie,
I just hit homedepot.com (i have one down the road) and was looking at the GE filters. Do you use a carbon based filter (single or dual stage) Or one of the reverse osmosis filters? Let me know if you get a chance because I want to start of with the right one if I do this work. :) I need to keep a couple 55's, 20's, 10's and 6 gallon fry tanks clean and fresh. :) It looks like the carbon based dual stage will be plenty but I just want to make sure.

-Rob :FS

[vjvl51]

Hi Rob

We use the GE SmartWater # GXWH08C with the white filter (the one that comes with it). This is a single system with the FXUSC filter. Since we are on well water, we find that the carbon filter lasted about two weeks. You can try the white filters and then upgrade to the carbon filters, if necessary but the white filters work for me. Homedepot.com requires a zip code which I don't have (I live in Canada), so I can't check out what you're seeing. Here is the GE website http://www.geappliances.com/smartwater/model_fs.htm?GXWH08C

Most African cichlids require hard water and the RO unit makes soft water. The dual stage system is probably better than the single stage that we use.

Vickie

[rob]

I actually purchased the one you were describing at homedepot. Couldnt beat the price so I had to get it. I cheated though and hooked it up to my tank fill hose instead of hard plumbing it. THis works perfectly and after only 20 gallons of water through it I already see sediment. So thanks again for your suggestions and help. My fish and I appreciate it. :)

-Rob

[vjvl51]

Anytime Rob. I'm glad it worked for you.

Vickie