KyWildFish

I have a female betta I recent purchased and shes in an over the edge box in my community tank. I put her there because she was being out competed for food. She has been in there for about 10 days and Ive noticed a scummy white film that builds up just in her box. I can skim it off with a spoon and its like a slimy protein of some sort. Any ideas of what it is? It can be pretty thick if I don't skim it off.

(also: I plan on putting her in a larger tank that is currently occupied by the 1,593 hamsters I have. It will need to be cycled but in the mean time she seems really happy in there.)

shellbell4ever

I'm not 100% on this but I think I heard somewhere that you can not use a tank for fish that has previously been used for rodents due to the fact that their ammonia will stay in the sealant of the tank...just a thought... Perhaps you could invest in a tank for her alone maybe one of the 2.5 gallon setups they sell at walmartJust a suggestion...
As far as the film in the over the edge box maybe it's because there is no circulation?Please hang in there I'm sure someone with more experience will be by shortly

Dino

What are you feeding her?

Shawnie

my breeder box does the same thing until I moved it over my air bubble wand...it needs the water circulating ....and im not sure on the rodent thing either but im sure others will know if its possible to clean the tank enough to be healthy enough for your fish

ShaynaB

1593 hamsters, huh? That's a lot.

I've heard the thing about ammonia staying in tanks too, although I'm not sure if it's really true or not.

I had a breeder box with fry in it in one of my tanks and it would get that filmy stuff on the top too. No flow in the box did it. I moved the box so that it was getting a bigger flow from the filter (I have a super strong filter on that tank) and it cleared up when the water started flowing through it.

Or is it one of the solid boxes? If it is, maybe invest in one with slots or holes in it.

Lucy

I've never heard of that you can't use the tanks again after they had rodents.

I've only heard to sanitize it with bleach then over chlorinate.

It'd be interesting to hear from anyone has used one before.

KyWildFish

Should clarify that the tank was never used for rodents before and that I have ANOTHER tank waiting for fish that is currently used by hamsters.

Dino: She gets a mix of food. Bloodworms, betta pellets, and some flakes. I think the main problem is probably circulation.

clinton1621

The buildup is caused by solids (proteins, bacteria, and fish oils) that float up to the top of the water because of the lack of water movement. Water movement keeps these solids dissolved in the water column, where they eventually get filtered out... except in a breeder box where the water isnt properly circulated.

Also, silicone does not absorb ammonia, silicone is not porous... if it was it wouldnt be a sealant and wouldnt hold water. If you use a former rodent tank just be sure to thoroughly disinfect it, and check to make sure it doesnt leak... as the real problem with using former rodent tanks is that they like to scratch at the glass, which could have damaged the silicone.

morganrules

i dont know about the rodent thing but my fish tank im using was a snake habitat and i gave it a really good cleaning and its perfect now no problems with it just make sure you do an amazing job of cleaning the tank and make sure ti cycles

KyWildFish

Again the issue is not with the rodents, its with an established tank only used for fish. I believe its the circulation and I will work on ways the resolve it.

As for cleaning a tank post rodent use, I think I know what I am doing in that situation. Thanks for all the concerns despite the confusion.

clinton1621

I covered the reason for the film on the water, two posts up... I had the same problem with a breeding box with guppys.

Lucy

Sorry KyWildFish, I went totally

KyWildFish

Indeed, lol. I moved the box closer to my power filter, Clinton1621's advice seems to be the issue. Thanks for all the care though, nice to get over responded for a change!