biofilm problems
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Joined
·
12,114 Posts
From what I recall, the biofilm on the surface of the water is generally proteinaceous in nature, so it probably comes from fish food, and not phosphates.
Joined
·
530 Posts
Various protein skimmer assemblies (salt water people use these), put the output of the filter at the surface temporarily, paper towels 
We all deal with it from time to time. It usually happens the day or two before a water change and I put the filter output at water level when the lights go out (not to vent CO2) and it reincorporates it into the water - the next day a w/c does away with it
We all deal with it from time to time. It usually happens the day or two before a water change and I put the filter output at water level when the lights go out (not to vent CO2) and it reincorporates it into the water - the next day a w/c does away with it
Yes, excess food. I have the biofilm disappearing by itself if I don't feed the fish for a couple of days. I don't skim the water surface at all. I don't see a point in doing that.
Feed less and often than once in bulk. If you can't, invest in an automatic feeder.
Cheers!
Feed less and often than once in bulk. If you can't, invest in an automatic feeder.
Cheers!
Joined
·
530 Posts
Daniel has it right. usually too much food causes it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Joined
·
422 Posts
once about 2 years ago on a asian aquarium site i had see a diy made from a cheapo micro internal filter upsidedown (inlet up outlet down )put inside a grided cut inlet pipe... and now for a while i see amano's vuppathing ...deja vu? Lol
)put inside a grided cut inlet pipe... and now for a while i see amano's vuppathing ...deja vu? Lol
Joined
·
2,365 Posts
sadly that does not always work. i have a tank that i feed once or twice a week and i still have have biofilm, the amount of food that i feed is minimal because the fish is rarely out for food. of my 5 tanks 3 have biofilm, really its only of 4 tanks because one has a surface skimmer.
the best "cure" to biofilm is surface agitation, or a surface skimmer.
Joined
·
530 Posts
One more solution to consider, I use a IKEA watering can to water my house plants...
![]()
When I get biofilm, I use it to skim the surface bio film along with the poop filled, EI fertilized water and use it to water my house plants. It takes about three fills to water all my house plants and 90% of the bio film is gone.
The side benefit of recycling the nutrient rich water is my Indian Rope plant and a variety of other plants have flowered more than ever before.
It's a little less expensive than a skimmer or wave making apparatus. I sink enough $$$ into this hobby, a little side benefit can be nice
When I get biofilm, I use it to skim the surface bio film along with the poop filled, EI fertilized water and use it to water my house plants. It takes about three fills to water all my house plants and 90% of the bio film is gone.
The side benefit of recycling the nutrient rich water is my Indian Rope plant and a variety of other plants have flowered more than ever before.
It's a little less expensive than a skimmer or wave making apparatus. I sink enough $$$ into this hobby, a little side benefit can be nice
The film in my tank actually has nothing to do with the fish food. It seems anytime I add new live plants to the tank the film gets bad for several weeks. It was almost completely gone until I added some new swords...within 2 days it was back twice as bad.
To answer the question as to why to remove it (besides looking bad), it blocks a lot of the overhead lighting.
To answer the question as to why to remove it (besides looking bad), it blocks a lot of the overhead lighting.
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
Join the discussion
