What is the slimy coating my entire fish tank?
The inhabitant is a female betta fish, named Chuck. She currently resides in a ten gallon tank with a sponge filter. There is a layer of regular gravel on the bottom around 1 inch deep. Before moving her into her new home her water would constantly get dirty only after 2 days and have a cloudy/whitish type of appearance. When I clean out her bowl the sides would be slimy. Now in her 10 gallon aquarium, which she has been in for about a week, everything is covered with thin white wavy hair (almost like algae). It’s nearly impossible to see unless you’re looking for it. Also a sponge will wipe it off with just one swipe. But it is everywhere including ornaments, filter, gravel and the glass sides of the aquarium. However it is NOT on the fish….
The tank has tested fine for all nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. An I am 100% sure it is not ick or eggs. I would consider myself relatively experienced with fish and have worked at an aquarium store before, but I am at a loss for what this might be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, It is a fresh water tank if I didn’t mention it. There has been no salt added either.
Also the tank has had fish in it before, but I upgraded them to a larger tank and emptied out this 10 gallon tank. I just filled it up resently with new (non-cycled) water. I added “Stress Coat” to help keep the stress down (from the new water) and de-chlorinate the water.
Also the filter is a regular 10 gallon Whisper filter, but has a sponge media instead of carbon.
it’s protein change your water more often or get a protein skimmer
a better filter might help, with female bettas there is no reason to avoid power filters. even males are fine with power filters if the tank is big enough.
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hahah well then it’s not the traditional sponge filter. maybe it’s a build up of bacteria if you didn’t cycle the tank? btw, water doesn’t matter. the important stuff (bacteria) lives on the gravel and filter. so using old water does nothing, you need to use a used filter or gravel (taken right from tank to tank, not dry)
If the tank is new and hasn’t held water before it could be a type of algae which feeds on the silicates which are being leached out of the glass, no idea how I know about this but I’ve had it once or twice. It’s never caused me any problems (or fish!) as far as I’m aware