Snow Flake

[silane]

I didn't on the light for a newly setup tank for 1 day, once I on it, I was suprised to see white stuff stuck in filter inlet and everywhere, I did some stirring:
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/flake1.jpg

It's all over the place:
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/flake2.jpg



Anyone has know what it is?

[leong68]

Izit a white worm?

[silane]

No, it is not living thing...

[Frank]

Could be some kind of bacteria. Don´t know.

[Sancho]

Is that stuff forming a thin layer at the surface of the water?

Its probably a layer of surface film, more dense, that is easily broken by raising the surface movement. When that breaks, its in the form of "white chips" with different sizes that flow with the filter current.

I used to have that and still have when surface agitation is weak or when I exagerate when feeding the fish. Nothing to worry about, if that is your case.

[spence]

I too have this problem recently. It was an old tank. After increasing
the flow rate of the filter, the problem disappear.

[mikedudekmike]

Mineral deposits?

[bencozzy]

looks like what happens in reef tanks when you add to much calcium and the carbonates participate out of solution or it could be biofilm.

[southerndesert]

Looks like bio-film or surface scum...More surface agitation will clear it up. Having a layer on the surface will cause a lack of gas exchange eventually and could cause problems with O2 in the tank as well...

Addition of an airstone or allow filter to disturb the surface to keep it from forming.

Bill

[Macadamian]

I would say mineral deposit too... if calcium or whatever.. somekind of deposit.
You will know the best what u add to your water .... ;)
Regards
Sven

[Frank]

Looks like bio-film or surface scum...More surface agitation will clear it up. Having a layer on the surface will cause a lack of gas exchange eventually and could cause problems with O2 in the tank as well...

Addition of an airstone or allow filter to disturb the surface to keep it from forming.

Bill


Good point Bill. I´m pretty sure this is the solution.
Like I already supposed it´s a kind of bacteria.
Usually this is on the surface only. Not so easy to figure out why Silane has it in the whole tank..
I guess a strong filter could break the bio-film and let the pieces flow everywhere.

[rebbot]

I just encountered this white film as well except that mine was not broken up into pieces but one big film stuck to my driftwood swaying in the water. Hmmm I wonder what it is?

I did dose a very small quantity of mineral powder into the tank four days ago.