What is this surface film

digitallinh · 03-27-2012, 10:26 PM

Anyone know? Eisenbacteria? or protein buildup? I don't believe I overfeed, and I maintain my filter every 2 weeks.

digitallinh · 03-27-2012, 10:30 PM

just a bit more info: The tank is open-top and I recently removed a "surface skimmer" because snails were getting sucked in through the top and clogging my pipes. When the surface skimmer was in the tank, the film condensed into a white creamy substance while it was being skimmed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ValMM · 03-27-2012, 10:32 PM

Protein and dust collects at the top due to not enough surface movement. It's probably that.

Bushkill · 03-27-2012, 10:50 PM

Proteins. Surface agitation will help, but if it's open-top you'll need to deal with the "splash effect". Not sure what sort of skimmer you were using, but you may want to re-install it and figure out a way to keep the snails out. The plastic mesh of the variety that things like onions in a grocery store are packaged in combined with a rubber band may do the trick. It may take a bit of creativity.

digitallinh · 03-27-2012, 10:56 PM

I was using one of those cheap fluval skimmers. There was good and bad with that skimmer. It definitely did the job, but all of that stuff, including small leaves, snails, gunk would end up clogging my pipes. It took me quite a while to figure out why my flow was reduced to a trickle, even after regular cleaning.

I may re-install it, since cleaning pipes of dead ramshorn/nerite snails is probably better than seeing that weird reflection when I look at my tank!

Bushkill · 03-27-2012, 11:30 PM

Surface skimming makes any filter much more efficient.

The concept is basic to the SW side of the hobby with tools like protein skimmers to do the job. But since FW doesn't foam the way SW does, the process has to happen mechanically via things like surface skimming attachments, etc.

digitallinh · 03-28-2012, 12:32 AM

Yeah, set it back up without a longterm solution anyway. Probably going to silicone steel mesh around the floating part of the skimmer.

Thanks for your help!

03-27-2012, 10:26 PM	#1
digitallinh Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 239	What is this surface film Anyone know? Eisenbacteria? or protein buildup? I don't believe I overfeed, and I maintain my filter every 2 weeks. Attached Thumbnails

03-27-2012, 10:32 PM	#3
ValMM Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oswego, New York Posts: 823	Protein and dust collects at the top due to not enough surface movement. It's probably that. __________________ My roommate says I'll die by giant turtle.

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03-27-2012, 10:30 PM	#2
digitallinh Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 239	just a bit more info: The tank is open-top and I recently removed a "surface skimmer" because snails were getting sucked in through the top and clogging my pipes. When the surface skimmer was in the tank, the film condensed into a white creamy substance while it was being skimmed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

03-27-2012, 10:50 PM	#4
Bushkill Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bushkill, Pa Posts: 412	Proteins. Surface agitation will help, but if it's open-top you'll need to deal with the "splash effect". Not sure what sort of skimmer you were using, but you may want to re-install it and figure out a way to keep the snails out. The plastic mesh of the variety that things like onions in a grocery store are packaged in combined with a rubber band may do the trick. It may take a bit of creativity.

03-27-2012, 10:56 PM	#5
digitallinh Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 239	I was using one of those cheap fluval skimmers. There was good and bad with that skimmer. It definitely did the job, but all of that stuff, including small leaves, snails, gunk would end up clogging my pipes. It took me quite a while to figure out why my flow was reduced to a trickle, even after regular cleaning. I may re-install it, since cleaning pipes of dead ramshorn/nerite snails is probably better than seeing that weird reflection when I look at my tank!

03-27-2012, 11:30 PM	#6
Bushkill Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bushkill, Pa Posts: 412	Surface skimming makes any filter much more efficient. The concept is basic to the SW side of the hobby with tools like protein skimmers to do the job. But since FW doesn't foam the way SW does, the process has to happen mechanically via things like surface skimming attachments, etc.

03-28-2012, 12:32 AM	#7
digitallinh Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 239	Yeah, set it back up without a longterm solution anyway. Probably going to silicone steel mesh around the floating part of the skimmer. Thanks for your help!