Lipid Looking Stuff On The Top Of My Water

[constantine03]

Hi everyone. In my 10 gallon divided betta tanks, I've been noticing a lot of lipid-like residues on the top of the water (greasy looking), and am wondering what it's from, and how I can get rid of it. I was thinking it was probably a factor of the divided tanks, plus the filter rate has been lowered since bettas don't do well in high currents. What else can I do to get rid of it? Water changes don't even do it bc it's right on the top...is this where a protein skimmer comes into play?

 

[Nim]

Protien skimmer are actually for marine or saltwater tanks and have very little or no use in freshwater and certainly nothing with bettas. What you need is a surface skimmer or activated carbon added to your filter. The scum on the surface could be organic waste or it could also be algae. Activated carbon does a good job of adsorbing organic waste and also limit the surface scum algae but for algae you need pretty strong light for it to occur.

Nim

 

[constantine03]

I see. I've never had a marine tank, so didn't really know what the skimmers skimmed.

I have activated carbon in the filter as is. It's an aquaclear 20 filter on a 10 gal. So, a surface skimmer just attaches to the intake on my filter?

That makes sense. I'll have to go get one. Thank you!

 

[constantine03]

I went and bought an aquaclear surface skimmer...but I must just be an idiot, b/c I can't get the thing to work. It doesn't come with flipping instructions, only pictures...Augh!

 

[ridewake210]

What are you needing help with hun exactly?


maybe this picture will help?

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

Hello

I had this problem recently, solved it by moving my filter up slightly so that the outflowing water disturbed the surface - seems to have worked a treat

 

[vinylman]

It could be something as simple as the make of flakes you're feeding the fish.

 

[Evad]

It could also be something you had on your hands one day. Lotion residue, etc. The film will stay on the surface for days/weeks even if just a tiny amount was entered into the water.

Other than it looking bad, its usually not a sign of anything bad. I have actually used paper towels to remove it from the surface to determine if it will come back - which indicates a more significant problem.

 

[ox5477]

Maybe this is completely off as they don't necessarily look greasy, but have thought of maybe that this film is the start of a bubble nest that the betta's are making?

 

[ShoC]

Above post: I highly doubt it is a bubble nest, they are literally bubbles

you dont need a protein skimmer to remove the surface film.
Simply disturbing the water breaks the film down or some kitchen towels will remove it