OpenEd the top of my tank today to find this mysterious film on top of the water. Looks like an extreme case of dandruff, but for Aquariums. Any idea what it can be? And what to do with it?
What’s going on?
- Thread starter Hank82
- Start date
Looks like normal protein/oils build up on the still surface of the water. You can help break this up by pointing any filter output or power head more toward the surface to agitate the water.
Is this a new tank set up? Any fish?
Is this a new tank set up? Any fish?
That happened to my sump on my 55g. It never hurt anything and went away after a few weeks. sorry I cant be more help but at least you shouldnt need to worry
No, the tank has been going for about seven months now with two Oscars and two convicts.
The air water interface is (as stated above) a collection point for many pollutants like lipids, proteins, coming from fish food, and metabolism, (think petroleum products slicks on a puddle). This happens quite often if feeding high protein foods like fish filets, or shrimp to piscivores.
And although many aquarists think vacuuming fish feces is more important, I believe the air water interface pollutants are much worse.
This film can block gas exchange (oxygen), and needs to be either removed or broken up.
You can soak it up with a paper towels (a constant labor intensive, and sloppy battle)
Do more water changes extracting water from the surface (I do this a lot these days)
Current from water pumps, and bubbles from aerators help break it up.
Skimmers draw it into filters.
Protein skimmers remove it from the water column altogether as foam (this is my favorite method)
and although in the water column it is mostly invisible, it becomes obvious when there is not enough surface agitation.
Below a video of a protein skimmer removing those proteins, lipids and other junk from a pond I had.
koi pond fractionation
I have also used protein skimmers (fractionaters)on freshwater tanks, indoors.
The bag is holding skimmer waste from the tank in the background, these fractionates also remove particulate, and free floating algae.
Below the counter current fractionate
And although many aquarists think vacuuming fish feces is more important, I believe the air water interface pollutants are much worse.
This film can block gas exchange (oxygen), and needs to be either removed or broken up.
You can soak it up with a paper towels (a constant labor intensive, and sloppy battle)
Do more water changes extracting water from the surface (I do this a lot these days)
Current from water pumps, and bubbles from aerators help break it up.
Skimmers draw it into filters.
Protein skimmers remove it from the water column altogether as foam (this is my favorite method)
and although in the water column it is mostly invisible, it becomes obvious when there is not enough surface agitation.
Below a video of a protein skimmer removing those proteins, lipids and other junk from a pond I had.
koi pond fractionation
I have also used protein skimmers (fractionaters)on freshwater tanks, indoors.
The bag is holding skimmer waste from the tank in the background, these fractionates also remove particulate, and free floating algae.
Below the counter current fractionate
