Cloudy water, slimy film

[Tigerbarb]

I have noticed that my aquarium's water smells like dead fish, is sort of cloudy and has a wierd slimy film on the top of the water. When I dipped my finger in the water, I noticed a filmy substance being stirred up. The fish I have seem to be doing great, and dont react to this at all.
Tonight, I am going to change the water again to see if that makes a difference, and maybe test the ph.

[Rue]

Sounds like a bacterial bloom...don't keep the tank 'too clean'...you need all the good nitrifying bacteria.

But yes, do the water changes, and make sure the surface gets 'disturbed' enough that the water is adequately oxygenated...you might have to drop the water level in the tank for a while to get more of a waterfall effect from your HOB...if you have a HOB...

Same principle goes for the canister...

[Tigerbarb]

I am currently using a Whisper™ Hang-on power filter which is adding some disturbance to the water surface, but not much. Should I buy powerhead?

[Rue]

I don't think you need to buy a power head...

...also, since a large portion of your 'good bacteria' live in the sponge in your filter, remember not to accidentally kill them when you clean! Rinse them out in 'tank water' since the clorine in tap water will kill them. Don't replace them too frequently either...once they don't hold their shape anymore (or return to shape after being squeezed out) then it's time for a new sponge...

Some people run 2 sponges...so that they only replace one at a time min. the loss of good bacteria.

Also, don't keep the gravel too clean...some mulm should be left in the bottom...normally it's not an issue since few people clean that well...but I ran into a person that took out all the gravel and boiled it every few months before replacing it...

[Bassfan]

i believe if you rinse them off in cold water its ok.

[Tigerbarb]

Do you think a water change would help get rid of or minimize the slime film?

[Bassfan]

Yea, i would buy another more powerful filter to help filter more and create more movement.

[Tigerbarb]

I think I will get a powerhead soon.

[Tigerbarb]

I have now changed the water of my tank, and the slimy film is not longer visible and the water is less cloudy.

[Lady Hobbs]

Sounds like you need a better filter if it isn't giving you enough water movement. I don't know the size of your tank but you may need a filter on both sides to keep dead spots oxygenated.

[Tooch]

I wonder if this is what happened to my tank... I have a filter on each side. The fish don't seem like they are acting any different, but the water is definatly cloudy

[Tigerbarb]

Sounds like you need a better filter if it isn't giving you enough water movement. I don't know the size of your tank but you may need a filter on both sides to keep dead spots oxygenated.
I have a bubbler on the opposite side of the filter in the tank which adds to the water movement.

I have also tested my PH after the water change, and found it perfect. :19: