Surface film with carbon dosing

[markster33139]

I have been dosing about 120cc a day of vinegar on my 150g with about 120g total water volume. I recently added a canister filter to run GAC, and within a week I have a surface film that won't go away. Is this related to the vinegar dosing and the addition of the filter? With the GAC in a bag I did not have this problem. Also I noticed that I am starting to have a massive diatom bloom (tank is 15 months old) even before the addition of the filter. Am I dosing too much, too quickly? Should I cut back on the vinegar significantly, or get rid of the canister filter (which I rather not) or both?

 

[bboudreaux]

you must have a really good skimmer when you start carbon dosing or you will get the film. i know what you are talking about almost like snot on the surface of the water. if you have a skimmer than you might be adding too much for the skimmer to handle.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Surface film on what, the water surface?

 

[markster33139]

Sorry about that, yes film on the water surface that started within days of adding a canister filter with GAC. I have an SRO-3000 INT running on this tank which I believe to be more than adequate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Not sure why you observed that. I never had such a film, even when overdosing vinegar.

 

[markster33139]

Have you heard of this causing diatom blooms

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Nope. I'd be somewhat surprised if diatoms can consume vinegar.

 

[burnah]

ive had a biofilm too when dosing vodka, install a surface skimmer!