Bio Film Over Tank

[oliviavandev]

I've been trying to get my tank to cycle for about 3 weeks. I've got my Axolotl tubbed while waiting for the tank to cycle. Over the course of last night, a thin layer of biofilm has formed over the top of my tank. I've got an appropriately sized filter for my 20 gal. long tank, as well as some Pothos roots stuck in there. Should I be concerned about this, or does it mean that my tank is on its way to being cycled?

 

[wolfen]

I've been trying to get my tank to cycle for about 3 weeks. I've got my Axolotl tubbed while waiting for the tank to cycle. Over the course of last night, a thin layer of biofilm has formed over the top of my tank. I've got an appropriately sized filter for my 20 gal. long tank, as well as some Pothos roots stuck in there. Should I be concerned about this, or does it mean that my tank is on its way to being cycled?

what do you mean by appropriately sized filter?
slime/scum/film/cloudy water produced during cycling is normally bacteria that has formed in the water column to remove ammonia/nitrites, unless you are using fish food as a ammonia sources then it would be waste breaking down.
once the bacteria colony has been formed in the filter and has grown to a large enough size it will out compete any bacteria in the water column for food and any scum etc will clear up. provided your filter is large enough then there shouldn't be an issue with just leaving it and letting it complete the cycle.

 

[oliviavandev]

what do you mean by appropriately sized filter?
slime/scum/film/cloudy water produced during cycling is normally bacteria that has formed in the water column to remove ammonia/nitrites, unless you are using fish food as a ammonia sources then it would be waste breaking down.
once the bacteria colony has been formed in the filter and has grown to a large enough size it will out compete any bacteria in the water column for food and any scum etc will clear up. provided your filter is large enough then there shouldn't be an issue with just leaving it and letting it complete the cycle.

Thank you! Ive got a fluval U2.

 

[wolfen]

the fluval u2 is rated at 12 gallon to 30 gallon, in aquarium terms that would be 12 gallon bare bones ie.. axolotl tank and 30 gallon high substrate low waste ie.. shrimp tank.
it might be an idea to get a sponge filter as well or get a larger filter as the u2 won't be able to cope with the high waste and you might have problems cycling the tank at the normal rate of 4ppm ammonia.