I think my tank is going through NTS but I'm not sure and I'm a bit worried. I got a new tank three weeks ago and started cycling it, I got two parrots and a shark after four days. I'm not very experienced so I added 'stress zyme+' (per the advice of the pet store clerk) to add good bacteria into the tank. It was fine for a week but then it started to 'cycle'. This website has helped a lot, I got the milky colored water, which only lasted a day, and my Ammonia Levels are at <2ppm. My Ph is 7.8 (high I know but it won't go down) and steady for a few days. Just this evening I noticed a white film covering the tank, not floating in the water, but its all along the sides and in the filter. The fish's behavior hasn't changed at all, if anything they are more outgoing and getting used to me. The water isn't cloudy or anything but I'm worried about this film, please help?
Thank you
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Comments
Re: New tank syndrome?
Since your nitrates are zero, you are probably not producing them yet. That indicates your tank has not cycled. You are probably producing nitrites right now. Once they go down you will start producing your nitrates. That is when your tank is cycled. In a established/cycled tank, you want your ammonia and nitrites at zero. You will do weekly water changes and gravel vacuums to keep your nitrates at 20 or below.
Since your tank is new, I'm thinking the residue is just from your gravel/decor. I wouldn't worry too much about it. As Shaz advised adding surface agitation/bubbler will probably help. You can also lower your water level so that the water coming from the filter splashes into the water and causes agitation. This will also help oxygenate the water for the fish. Ammonia depletes the water of oxygen.
You're doing a great job:-)
Re: New tank syndrome?
Thank you, I just checked the Nitrates and its reading zero. Also, I meant to put <.2PPM for Ammonia, I'm not a very good proofreader, so the ammonia is as low as it can get.
Before I put the gravel in I rinsed it, and I did try to vacuum it already(two days ago) so its relatively clean. The film wipes away easily, do you think I'm just worrying?
Thank you!
water
just another thought, do you use well water?
white film
I,m just wondering whether it could be something as simple as residue from the gravel, did you rinse it thoroughly before adding it?, I would suggest adding a surface agitator like an air curtain or wand or air stones, in addition to the measures suggested above
Re: New tank syndrome?
What are your nitrites, and nitrate readings?
7.8 ph is fine. Don't mess with it. You can cause your water to fluctuate and cause your fish to go into shock.
2 for ammonia is too high in a cycled tank. Are you doing small water changes? Don't add any chemicals to your water to remove ammonia. StressZyme is fine. If your tank is cycling, you have got to have ammonia. If you don't, your tank will never cycle.
FYI: Your tank didn't actually start to cycle until you added the fish. You have to have a ammonia source to start the cycle process.
Giving us your nitrite and nitrate readings will let us know where you're at in the cycle process.