Water issue

[ElizabethFrancine]

I had my Betta Fish in a small tank on his own. I didn't have any real plants, but I did have some moss balls. For the last six months I have had trouble with a gross looking film on the top of my water.

I just moved my Betta into an established tank, and now after a couple days the oily looking film is on the water in this tank too!

What could this be and how can I get rid of it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[StevenF]

Its probably a protein biofilm made by bacteria and algae. There are devices called Protein skimmers that remove this from the surface. I found in my tank with this film that falling water from the filter would push the film under the surface allowing it to dissipate.

 

[StevenF]

Note protein biofilms are generally not dangerous to fish.

 

[NickAu]

You need a little water surface movement. What type of filter do you have?

 

[ElizabethFrancine]

Its probably a protein biofilm made by bacteria and algae. There are devices called Protein skimmers that remove this from the surface. I found in my tank with this film that falling water from the filter would push the film under the surface allowing it to dissipate.

Ok. I'll check that out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ElizabethFrancine]

You need a little water surface movement. What type of filter do you have?

I'm not sure that's it. It's the same filter I've had for the last two years on this tank. It's an aqueon 30 - the tank is a 20g. It's well filtered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Byron]

I agree this is most likely a protein film. It is not dangerous in and of itself, but if it thickens (as it usually will with time and if not regularly dealt with) it will impede the gas exchange (oxygen in to the water, CO2 and nitrogen gas out) and this could harm fish and invertebrates in the tank.

I rarely see this, but in one tank for some reason it is present frequently though not permanently. It is often more prevalent in tanks with live plants (I know you said you have none, just pointing out the fact). Some filters can be fitted with a surface skimmer device, which can work to pull the water surface into the filter, thus removing the protein film with it. But in very small tanks the filter likely won't have this option, and it can get clogged with floating plants (and Betta should have floating plants).

When I see this in the one tank, at the weekly water change I simply invert the water changer under water so I can pull in the surface water slowly, and remove most if not all. It may rebuild by next week, but it is controllable. Some will suggest laying paper towels on the surface to pick this up, but I had no luck with that; the inverted water changer was more effective and easier.

Increasing the frequency and volume of water changes might help, and vacuum the substrate. Also keep the filter well rinsed. Organic buildup is part of this. Plant nutrients over dosed can contribute, but again you have no live plants so thee organics and nutrients are coming from elsewhere.

Byron.

 

[ElizabethFrancine]

I agree this is most likely a protein film. It is not dangerous in and of itself, but if it thickens (as it usually will with time and if not regularly dealt with) it will impede the gas exchange (oxygen in to the water, CO2 and nitrogen gas out) and this could harm fish and invertebrates in the tank.

I rarely see this, but in one tank for some reason it is present frequently though not permanently. It is often more prevalent in tanks with live plants (I know you said you have none, just pointing out the fact). Some filters can be fitted with a surface skimmer device, which can work to pull the water surface into the filter, thus removing the protein film with it. But in very small tanks the filter likely won't have this option, and it can get clogged with floating plants (and Betta should have floating plants).

When I see this in the one tank, at the weekly water change I simply invert the water changer under water so I can pull in the surface water slowly, and remove most if not all. It may rebuild by next week, but it is controllable. Some will suggest laying paper towels on the surface to pick this up, but I had no luck with that; the inverted water changer was more effective and easier.

Increasing the frequency and volume of water changes might help, and vacuum the substrate. Also keep the filter well rinsed. Organic buildup is part of this. Plant nutrients over dosed can contribute, but again you have no live plants so thee organics and nutrients are coming from elsewhere.

Byron.

I should clarify. This new established tank that I moved my betta into does have a lot of live plants. I did not, however, have this issue until I moved the betta and his moss balls into the tank.

Thank you for this advice. I will be sure to "vacuum" it off the top of the water when I do the water changes and vacuum the sand. As long as it is not harmful to the fish, then I am slightly relieved.

 

[Byron]

I should clarify. This new established tank that I moved my betta into does have a lot of live plants. I did not, however, have this issue until I moved the betta and his moss balls into the tank.

Thank you for this advice. I will be sure to "vacuum" it off the top of the water when I do the water changes and vacuum the sand. As long as it is not harmful to the fish, then I am slightly relieved.

You want to generally leave the sand alone with plants as this is the major source of nutrients (especially CO2) and the biological processes that occur in the substrate are essential to a healthy aquarium. I mentioned the substrate previously because without live plants we were sort of looking for possible causes of excess organics. Still applicable, but the plants should help with this. Just want to be clear to help.

 

[ElizabethFrancine]

I usually just clean the obvious debris off the top of the sand. I don't go too deep, as my corys stir it up pretty well. But I'm happy to leave it alone - lol.

Thank you.

 

[Byron]

I usually just clean the obvious debris off the top of the sand. I don't go too deep, as my corys stir it up pretty well. But I'm happy to leave it alone - lol.

Thank you.

That is OK, I do the same in a couple tanks; anything loose on the surface might get pulled up.