There is a milky film on the aquarium walls, ? cause? treatment? Filter change done?

Answer 1

Sounds like algae just getting started. Wipe it off. Or its calcium or salt build up. Wipe it off with an algae scraper. Clean and refubish your filter
monthly. Rinse bio-media in tank water.

Answer 2

Is this something that you can wipe off, or does it seem "permanent"?

If it can be wiped off, it could be dust from aquarium gravel that's adhering to the sides of the tank (new tank with unwashed gravel), or an algae/bacterial growth. If the first, all you would need to do is wipe the dust off and do a few water changes to remove it. For the second, I'd start the same way, but you could try reducing the light in the tank (this will prevent algae from growing as quickly) and doing more frequent water changes (this will reduce tank nutrients on which both feed, plus spores to cause new growth).

If what you have seems permanent, it could be from hard water deposits - in which case they can be removed by taking the water out of the tank, and cleaning the inside with diluted vinegar to remove the deposits - just rinse well before using with fish. If this doesn't work, or you know that your water source has a high pH (or the tank has bee used with cichlids or saltwater fish) this may be a permanent condition - when exposed to high pH glass surfaces can be etched, giving it an appearance of a milky film - this may be more noticeable near the top, especially if the water level in the tank has fluctuated over time.

Answer 3

don't scrub out the tank unless it's a last resort!! it will kill all the good bacteria that keep the nitrogen cycle going that keeps the water livable for your fish. the bacteria also live in your filter. I've never experienced a milky film. if it rubs off, wipe it off with a new/clean sponge or toothbrush as you suction out the water with a gravel vacuum, so you suck up whatever it is so it won't hurt your fish. but don't clean out the tank completely unless it's a very last resort, and google nitrogen cycle before you do. good luck.

Answer 4

That sounds like you got some tainted water somewhere that was way high on nitrates or nitrites and you have a bacteria of some kind growing. I would start first with a tap water test to see what is in your tap water, and also test the nitrates and nitrite levels on your tank. You may also need to clean the tank top to bottom, and see if that helps too. There also are some commercial treatments for bad water, but first you need to find the cause, and I would lay odds it is something in the water or something that was added to the tank like shells or a rock or mineral that is not tank approved, or even wood. Check and see, and best of blessings on this,
Maraleh

Answer 5

i had the same problem. you should try getting some sea snials or i forgot the name of the fish, it it sticks to everything in the tank and cleans it . you should go to a pet store and get more information.