Water film

[JamesTasker]

There is a strange, sort of white coloured film or very thin layer on the top of my aquarium water. I have a Fluval 3 filter and I do a 15% water change weekly. I was wondering if it was something to do with the tap-water. Mine is very hard. Help much appreciated. The fish seem unbothered.

 

[andyt_uk]

what do you feed your fish?
i find that after feeding tetra delicia blood worms the surface goes quite oily and with hikari algae tabs there is a lot of 'dust' that comes off them and gathers on the surface

changing the water flow so the surface is broekn for a few days helps stirr it up enough to be filtered better..

 

[RobertK]

In the meant time if it bothers you, you can drop a sheet of kitchen towel on the surface for a few seconds, this will lift some of the greasey film.


Robert

 

[Inchworm]

Hi JamesTasker

The film on your water could be from the food you feed them or it could be from cigarette smoke or household cooking. Sometimes these oily particles get into the air and settle on the tank water (as well as on the walls and curtains, etc.)

Removing them with a paper towel is a good idea.

 

[JamesTasker]

Thanks, it must be from the food. I feed a mixture of flakes, tetra freeze-dried brine shrimp, frozen tropical mix and algae tablets. It can't be from cigarettes as no-one in my house smokes, or from cooking as the tank is on the 2nd floor (3rd for those of you who are American )

 

[Lithril]

Could also be from your dechlorinator, mine often leaves a film.