White film on aquarium glass, magnet scraper can’t get off

[Snail Man]

So I am having an issue with a build up of white fin on my aquarium glass that isn’t like the normal algae, my magnet scraper can’t get it off so I have to clean it manually, I wonder if it is there because I’m dosing calcium???

 

[dadnjesse]

I have a white film on the inside of my tank also that won't come off. I talked to the Manufacturer Miracles and he told me I would have to drain the tank and scrub it off.

 

[Reefering1]

Why are you dosing calcium? What else are you dosing? Parameters? Was the glass clean then develop white or has it been there from the beginning?

 

[Snail Man]

Why are you dosing calcium? What else are you dosing? Parameters? Was the glass clean then develop white or has it been there from the beginning?

It was definitely not there when I got the tank, it was clear for about 5 months, but it recently started with that film

 

[Reefering1]

What are your parameters? What are you dosing and how much?

 

[Snail Man]

What are your parameters? What are you dosing and how much?

So I can’t give the numbers exactly but I know everything is perfect except for nitrate, my nitrates are about 20ppm, but I’m dosing calcium about 20ml per week in about 75 gallons of water volume

 

[Reefering1]

So I can’t give the numbers exactly but I know everything is perfect except for nitrate, my nitrates are about 20ppm, but I’m dosing calcium about 20ml per week in about 75 gallons of water volume

Only calcium is being added?

 

[Snail Man]

Only calcium is being added?

Yea, I’m wondering if it’s possible that there is a build up of it on the glass? …actually I have also been dosing chaeto grow

 

[Pickle_soup]

Do you test your calcium? I don't see anything in there that would be consuming calcium. To me, it seems that it's all the access calcium building up. Try to attach a rough piece of felt to the scrubber like hammerhead has for acrylic tanks.

 

[Syntax1235]

Some would call 20pm of nitrate perfect. Hard to know what is going on without test numbers. Adding calcium without alk is not something I have experience with, I add both equally.

I agree with the opinion of calcium precipitation.

 

[Snail Man]

Some would call 20pm of nitrate perfect. Hard to know what is going on without test numbers. Adding calcium without alk is not something I have experience with, I add both equally.

I agree with the opinion of calcium precipitation.

So what do you think I should do moving forward

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I am having an issue with a build up of white fin on my aquarium glass that isn’t like the normal algae, my magnet scraper can’t get it off so I have to clean it manually, I wonder if it is there because I’m dosing calcium???

I assume its precipitation. One thing that often works is use of Magic eraser sponge. Just make sure its the ORIGINAL and Not scented, or lemon. This one below:

 

[Syntax1235]

So what do you think I should do moving forward

I would run some tests and post results here and let some of the pros help you out.

 

[Pickle_soup]

So what do you think I should do moving forward

Always test before dosing. It will save you money, and possibly frustration.

 

[Pickle_soup]

I assume its precipitation. One thing that often works is use of Magic eraser sponge. Just make sure its the ORIGINAL and Not scented, or lemon. This one below:

Do you know if they are ok for acrylics?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you know if they are ok for acrylics?

yes- used on my very acrylic and I was pretty impressed

 

[Snail Man]

I assume its precipitation. One thing that often works is use of Magic eraser sponge. Just make sure its the ORIGINAL and Not scented, or lemon. This one below:

So this wouldn’t put any chemicals inside the tank???

 

[vetteguy53081]

So this wouldn’t put any chemicals inside the tank???

no. As I told someone a week or two ago, My LFS was buying this two-pack and cutting them into 8 squares and selling them as Mystery algae sponges for $2.49 each. I even bought them until i realized what they were - Duh

 

[Pickle_soup]

no. As I told someone a week or two ago, My LFS was buying this two-pack and cutting them into 8 squares and selling them as Mystery algae sponges for $2.49 each. I even bought them until i realized what they were - Duh

Undercut them outside their store for $2 a piece

 

[Lebowski_]

How old the tank? I’m wondering if it could be alkaline haze. In which case it unfortunately can’t be cleaned off. Hopefully the eraser works.