Film On Top Of Water Surface? Please Help

[RossC]

My fighters tank keeps developing a film that covers the entire waters surface. Its not oil more of a physical skin like when gravy goes cold only thinner. It breaks up with disturbance into like a white goo but then comes back again after a couple of hours. What could this be? Thanks

 

[snazy]

I am guessing there is no filter in this tank. This will happen when there is nothing disturbing the surface. Although bettas breathe air, they do need oxygenated water and filtered and heated tanks.

 

[mike455555]

its protein i read somewhere as said before disturbance of the waters surface. you might have a filter in there if so put it up closer to the waters surface

 

[RossC]

Yeah theres a filter in there I'm not cruel LOL there is a small amount of disturbance but I pointed the flow downwards to move waste on the substrate. I'll try moving the outflow closer to the surface

 

[ghettofarmulous]

Hey there,

Sounds like a protein film you have going on. One suddenly appeared on my tank out of nowhere and nothing had changed. This was afer the tank had been setup for a year!
Surface aggitation and good filtration will keep it at bay..

 

[webbedfeet]

Hey there,

Sounds like a protein film you have going on. One suddenly appeared on my tank out of nowhere and nothing had changed. This was afer the tank had been setup for a year!
Surface aggitation and good filtration will keep it at bay..

When i get a surface film in my tanks i usually place a piece of newspaper on the surface flat at one end (maybe half the tank surface covered) and them slowly keeping the leading edge above the water surface pull it to the end and up it takes most of the film with it and if it needs a second just repeat

 

[RossC]

I think I've solved the problem just fitted the spray bar above the water and its really moving the surface around now

 

[coolie]

Does anyone find a change of brand of flake food you use can bring about a surface film as I seemed to have developed a slight one recently?

 

[coolie]

*bump* yes I have a very slight film when looking up through the water head down level with the gravel.

 

[star4]

Another way of getting rid of protien film is to use your gravel vac pointing to the surface and skim the film off the surface, it takes a bit of practice but its affective

 

[coolie]

Does anyone know if film on the water affects the absorbtion of either o2 or co2 into the water?

 

[Aquascaper]

Surface film will inhibit gaseous exchange yes.

 

[minnnt]

Hey there,

Sounds like a protein film you have going on. One suddenly appeared on my tank out of nowhere and nothing had changed. This was afer the tank had been setup for a year!
Surface aggitation and good filtration will keep it at bay..

When i get a surface film in my tanks i usually place a piece of newspaper on the surface flat at one end (maybe half the tank surface covered) and them slowly keeping the leading edge above the water surface pull it to the end and up it takes most of the film with it and if it needs a second just repeat

Spot on with this advice.

If the tank top is open and things are sprayed in the room such as air fresheners or deodarant, this can also cause it but as stated it is usually from the food you feed.

 

[coolie]

I got about a third of the film off by suctioning half a bucket of water and will finish the job tomorrow.

Are you not worried about the chemicals in newspaper print?

 

[minnnt]

Nope, not at all. It doesn't leech and is very effective.