Film on the surface of the water

[Sondan]

I always get a nasty whitish looking film on the top of the water in my tanks. I have never seen it hurt anything and I don't know what causes it. When ever I do water changes I try and skim it off the top but it just bothers me. I know I am not an ammonia tester or pH worrier but I also don't like anything that "looks" bad. I do regular water changes on my tanks and I would like to know if anyone else has this problem...if so how can I fix/stop it? I tried a search but found nothing. Thank you
Signed,
Sondan

 

[Chris]

I quite often get this film as well and have no idea what causes it. I do regular water changes which seems to remove it, only to find the next morning its returned. I have read of others having it in PFK magazine. The advice was that if it doesnt hurt anything dont worry. It could be a treatment that is added to the tank. The next few times you do a water change, just use a dechlorinator. Then each subsequent time a water change is done, put in another of the treatments. Keep doing this until it appears again and hopefully catch the culprit and try a similar product by an alternative company.
Chris

 

[Sondan]

Thanks Chris but I have had this film in the same tank for over a year now. Hmm I wonder what it is, thanks for the advice though.
Signed,
Sondan

 

[Cali]

Sondan, I had that film on the water of my betta female's tank. I was using pretty old HBH Betta bites and I noticed when I put them on top of the water, they would spread this oily/filmy substance on her water.

I stopped using that and I am using NEW Hikari Bio Gold pellets. Now her water is crystal clear. Try changing her food (maybe).


Also, someone told me that water can get a film if you overfeed your fish. Is that possible? Maybe he's being overfed or just not getting to the food fast enough.

 

[AquaNut]

I agree with Cali. It's often the food you're feeding that releases oil into the water which looks like a film on the top of the tank. Bloodworms, in particular, are known to do this.

 

[Sondan]

Hmmm,
Well I do feed flakes, brine shrimp, and Bloodworms I bet that is the culprit. Since I don't want to stop feeding bloodworms does anyone have any suggestions....maybe brands or such?
Signed,
Sondan

 

[Cali]

The bloodworms I (very occasionally) feed my betta do not leave a film. I watch the top of the water when I drop any food into the bowls. I can see if the food spreads that film.


Unfortunately, I do not know what brand I have. I got them at my local aquatics store. It's in a very small tube with a red cap.

 

[freshmike]

I use Hikari Betta Bio Gold and I get the same film....so that can't be it.

 

[AquaNut]

I was thinking of frozen bloodworms. I'm not sure which ones do it and which ones don't. You can lay a piece of newsprint type paper or paper towel on the surface of the water to absorb the oily film, if you wish.

 

[Sye]

I think its a kind of organic film, I’m not sure of what causes it. I think you can by a skimmer that attaches to the outlet of your filter and takes it off.

I think it lowers the gas exchange slightly.

 

[Sondan]

LOL I like the paper towel. As for lowering my Oxygen content I don't really think it matters...my best two betters have their own private ten gallon tanks.
Signed,
Sondan

 

[Gunnie]

I too have had the same problem with a new tank I set up at work. I was using the paper towel, but I had that same film every day. I thought maybe it was because I had minimal agitation at the top of the tank. I then added a sponge filter that used an air pump, and I have not had the problem since. My water also became much clearer. I didn't realize it wasn't clear before adding the sponge filter.

 

[Alien Anna]

I too have had the same problem with a new tank I set up at work. I was using the paper towel, but I had that same film every day. I thought maybe it was because I had minimal agitation at the top of the tank. I then added a sponge filter that used an air pump, and I have not had the problem since. My water also became much clearer. I didn't realize it wasn't clear before adding the sponge filter.

I'll chalk that up as another plus for sponge filters, thank you

I'll report back to you how I get on with the big sponge filters I'm planning on installing.