beta tank

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dave,  I recently purchased a 1 gallon fish tank and 1 male beta assuming that it will need to be cleaned about once a week.  I notice about 1 day after I clean the tank, the water gets cloudy and there is a stringy white substance floating on the top of the water which eventually covers the entire tank.  I am using tap water with a conditioner.  Any ideas what is going on?  Thanks, Christi

ANSWER: Hi Christi:  What color is the cloud?  dave

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QUESTION: Hi, thanks for responding.  It's a white substance.  Almost looks bacterial.  Its hard to beleive it keeps coming back so fast.  Thanks Christi

Answer
If it is a cloud it is probably beneficial bacteria reproducing.  I would watch the water chemistry levels and make sure they are staying in the norm for your tank.  The cloud should go away in about 4 days to a week.  If it has not... then let me know.  You can speed the process up by adding beneficial bacteria to your tank.  Beneficial bacteria can be purchased from most fish stores under the brand name of CYCLE or NITROMAX... there are other brands as well but those are the two I am most familiar with.   In the meantime I would use a net and skim the surface of the tank daily.   keep me posted... dave