Fish are dying - Cloudy water with tiny flakes.

[Mzungu]

my nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all at zero.

Is this a planted tank? Without plants, it's tough to have 0 nitrates...

[jarrodaden]

I have plants. Sometimes the nitrates go up a bit but not much.

[jarrodaden]

Installed a surface skimmer and I am positively delighted with the result after just a few hours running.

I couldn't find the Eheim brand locally so I bought a Fluval which I was able to "rig" to connect it.

It is a pretty clever little gizmo. The surface skimmer floats and there is a wand you rotate to adjust the intake at the lower level which affects how much water pulls into the top.

The nasty film on my tank is virtually gone after just a few hours.