Whats This Excess White Film On Surface Of Water?

[aaronnorth]

i set up a 10l/ 3g nano 2weeks ago but with water out my other cycled tank, i have proflora substrate covered with black pea gravel, red ludwigia, hairgrass, crypt wendtii, sagatara subulata.

i installed a 36w pc T5 daylight plus light yesterday and then this afternoon i saw this white film.

i have run my finger through water to collect some large lumps of it (shown in picture)

to the top of the pic where it is light, the film looks similar to that

 

[Losi]

Is there any movement on the surface of your tank?

 

[monica]

I have the same thing on the top of my 5.5 gall. I have found it does not harm my bettas (who are even air breathers) so I am sure it will not harm your fish in the slightest way. But I am curious as to what it is aswell.
I thought it might have been some excess plastic soming off my plastic plants, but I don't know. And I do have movement on the top of my water, but the movement is not as great due to this stuff.

 

[eschaton]

This film is common in planted tanks, and there is no long-term solution. It doesn't appear to hurt anything, except possibly hurting gas exchange and light penetration, but the benefits of a planted tank outweigh this drawback. I actually think it's a good thing for tanks, as it provides food for microlife...I've found fry raised in such tanks don't really need much in the way of feeding, and I suspect it's because they eat things which live in or eat the film.

 

[backtotropical]

It is quite common in new tanks. It is usually a build up of excess proteins and can be a sign of overfeeding.

It can usually be remedied by increasing surface movement and cutting back feeding slightly. If it persists, try changing your fish food.

It will usually be harmless, but if left it will hinder the gaseous exchange at the surface of the tank which provides the fish with oxygen, so should be treated.

Another method which seems to work is to lay paper tissue on the top of the water and then remove it. The white film will stick to the tissue, removing it from the tank. This however is treating the symptoms rather than the cause, and will not stop the problem from coming back, although can be a good short-term solution whilst the cause is being determined.

Cheers

BTT

 

[aaronnorth]

no fish in at mo, sligt water agitation