Aquariums: Help identifying why the water surface looks like this?
Help identifying why the water surface looks like this?
Posted by Professional_Depth_9
8 Comments
ModeMex_ on
That is a biofilm or protein film.
It happens when there are plants and when there isn’t enough movement on the surface of the tank.
Edit: Increase the water flow of your filter to push the water around or get an air stone. The point is that you need to constantly break the surface tension of the water.
If you’re planning on adding Guppies, then you don’t need to do this, as Guppies will eat the biofilm.
mozzieandmaestro on
I don’t know
imitebmike on
yeah its biofilm/protein layer
you need more surface agitation, while the hob pushes the water but you need more vigourous movement that actually breaks the surface layer, which will break it down, a bubbler should help actually break it down
jasonc619 on
I used to have this but a lot worse, I bought a tiny silent airstone and it disappeared within a few hours. £15
I’m learning a lot from this sub Reddit 👍🏼 thanks. Glad I joined.
genericnewlurker on
As others have said, this is biofilm. It can moderately reduce the amount of gasses exchanged at the surface, though there is some debate in the aquarium hobby about how much it does that. As long as it is broken up like this, it is perfectly ok. An air stone will help break it up more to the point that it is little bits, but in my experience, it doesn’t remove it. Even though biofilm is generally harmless once broken up, if you don’t like the look of it, you can increase the flow of your HOB filter, or increase surface agitation with a canister filter output, to break it up and drown it. Or you can use a skimmer filter in addition to your regular filter to remove it (and duckweed) entirely, like I do.
TruthComprehensive21 on
How big is the tank? You could get a protein skimmer. But like other posters have said. Try to get more agitation on the surface
SlideSensitive1859 on
Oh my god i has the same problem, its just biofilm lol, i also made a post about it, its nothing to worry about! 🙂
8 Comments
That is a biofilm or protein film.
It happens when there are plants and when there isn’t enough movement on the surface of the tank.
Edit: Increase the water flow of your filter to push the water around or get an air stone. The point is that you need to constantly break the surface tension of the water.
If you’re planning on adding Guppies, then you don’t need to do this, as Guppies will eat the biofilm.
I don’t know
yeah its biofilm/protein layer
you need more surface agitation, while the hob pushes the water but you need more vigourous movement that actually breaks the surface layer, which will break it down, a bubbler should help actually break it down
I used to have this but a lot worse, I bought a tiny silent airstone and it disappeared within a few hours. £15
https://preview.redd.it/evfipe6o0r7g1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32e3309f15b6c1f4043405673a5e8021c2cfe3af
I’m learning a lot from this sub Reddit 👍🏼 thanks. Glad I joined.
As others have said, this is biofilm. It can moderately reduce the amount of gasses exchanged at the surface, though there is some debate in the aquarium hobby about how much it does that. As long as it is broken up like this, it is perfectly ok. An air stone will help break it up more to the point that it is little bits, but in my experience, it doesn’t remove it. Even though biofilm is generally harmless once broken up, if you don’t like the look of it, you can increase the flow of your HOB filter, or increase surface agitation with a canister filter output, to break it up and drown it. Or you can use a skimmer filter in addition to your regular filter to remove it (and duckweed) entirely, like I do.
How big is the tank? You could get a protein skimmer. But like other posters have said. Try to get more agitation on the surface
Oh my god i has the same problem, its just biofilm lol, i also made a post about it, its nothing to worry about! 🙂