[Vinster8108]

Hi all,

I've got a Spec V shrimp tank that, lately, has been having a film over the top of it. It's planted, about 40 shrimp, couple pieces of driftwood, injected CO2, finnex planted plus 24/7, aquasoil, ~10 day 50% water changes. I'm really not sure whats happening. None of my other tanks have this issue. I'm letting the water level drop a bit to skim it off better.

 

[Chrisinator]

It's a protein film covering the surface. More surface agitation should help. Try pointing the nozzle up towards the surface to eliminate it.

 

[Dman911]

Usually a caused by a slight increase in organic waste maybe some unhealthy plants, a little to much food, dying algae, etc. It can turn into a bacterial bloom in my experience ifif decaying organic matter gets to bad. I would say that some is normal. Could also be from organics in the aquasoil.

Dan

 

[Olskule]

It could be a one-time event, due to something you may never track down. A surface skimmer would be ideal, but unless your filter offers that option, a separate skimmer would take up a lot of space in such a small tank. You can remove surface film manually by gently laying a paper towel on the water's surface until it is completely soaked, then, before it sinks, lift it from the middle. This will take almost all of the surface film with the paper towel, and if it's a one-time occurrence, your problem is solved. Otherwise, you may have to repeat the procedure until you figure out the source of the film. Avoid using any paper towels that might have substances added to them (fragrance, etc.); I find that the cheapest ones work just fine for this.

Olskule

 

[IntotheWRX]

Hi all,

I've got a Spec V shrimp tank that, lately, has been having a film over the top of it. It's planted, about 40 shrimp, couple pieces of driftwood, injected CO2, finnex planted plus 24/7, aquasoil, ~10 day 50% water changes. I'm really not sure whats happening. None of my other tanks have this issue. I'm letting the water level drop a bit to skim it off better.

give it some agitation so nature can do its work. it should clear up in couple of days.

 

[TormentedFishTank]

Surface agitation is all you will need for a tank that small. I always use and love surface skimmers, except on my 3-gallon pico reef tank where surface agitation solves the problem

 

[Zorya]

I did the paper towel trick for about 3 days and it disappeared. I have the spec v too and pointing the nozzle up toward the back glass will also help agitate the film. I think it's more common for the protein building up on just started tanks, but once everything gets going, it disappears naturally (as long as the above problems aren't still happening).

I had quite a few surfing snails eating the film, but now they settled back down to the bottom and the glass since it's gone -> not as fun to watch :'(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GrampsGrunge]

The OP is injecting CO2, any surface agitation is going to decrease the CO2 levels, it depends on if this will be a problem in the long run.

Frankly my shrimp like 'skimming' the water surface which has a bio-film. Some of that film is a little bit of bacteria and algae. Some floating plants that the shrimp can hang onto while scooping at the surface will help: Water Sprite, Salvinia, or Frogbit. I'd also recommend that the OP probably is possibly overfeeding, shrimp can make do with the barest of feedings as they eat just about anything organic.

If the OP is using a DIY CO2 system then it might be part of the issue, but the tiny level of organics it's introducing will be eaten readily by the foraging shrimp anyways.

 

[Vinster8108]

Hi all, thanks for the comments. Sorry for the delayed response, I've been gone on vacation. I increased the turbulence at the surface and things seem to be better now, hopefully it was a one time thing. I've been trying to stay on top of weekly water changes to help things out.