Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in the
water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

Could be from protein build up in the water, when last did you do a water
change?
If not the water change it could just be residue from the fishfood. I've
heard that certain dechlorinaters can also leave this oily film. I would'nt
worry too much about it though, as long as you're doing weekly water changes
I think you'll be ok.
--
Kind Regards
Cameron


"Shagster" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in
the
water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

My last water change was within 5 days... Plus, I'm only feeding my fish
1-2x per week, so I don't think it's that... I'll increase my water change
frequency and see what happens.

Thanks!
Troy



"Happy'Cam'per" wrote in message
...

Could be from protein build up in the water, when last did you do a water
change?
If not the water change it could just be residue from the fishfood. I've
heard that certain dechlorinaters can also leave this oily film. I
would'nt
worry too much about it though, as long as you're doing weekly water
changes
I think you'll be ok.
--
Kind Regards
Cameron


"Shagster" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all
of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At
the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in
the
water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see
the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

I seem to have a similar film or scum across one of my planted tanks.
There isn't much movement at the surface. That's good as I don't want
the CO2 to dissipate too easily. But a scum builds up. I think algae
even use the scum to their advantage by hanging on to it and bathing in
the light. It does block a little light.

I have only been feeding my fish once a day, and only with sinking
tablets. The irony is that today I dropped in a few flakes and the scum
scattered in every direction, clearing it away to the sides. I'll try
feeding more often with flakes, I think.

Nikki

Shagster wrote:

My last water change was within 5 days... Plus, I'm only feeding my fish
1-2x per week, so I don't think it's that... I'll increase my water change
frequency and see what happens.

Thanks!
Troy



"Happy'Cam'per" wrote in message
...

Could be from protein build up in the water, when last did you do a water
change?
If not the water change it could just be residue from the fishfood. I've
heard that certain dechlorinaters can also leave this oily film. I
would'nt
worry too much about it though, as long as you're doing weekly water
changes
I think you'll be ok.
--
Kind Regards
Cameron


"Shagster" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all
of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At
the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in

the

water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see
the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

That's EXACTLY what I'm seeing!


"Nikki Casali" wrote in message
...
I seem to have a similar film or scum across one of my planted tanks. There
isn't much movement at the surface. That's good as I don't want the CO2 to
dissipate too easily. But a scum builds up. I think algae even use the scum
to their advantage by hanging on to it and bathing in the light. It does
block a little light.

I have only been feeding my fish once a day, and only with sinking
tablets. The irony is that today I dropped in a few flakes and the scum
scattered in every direction, clearing it away to the sides. I'll try
feeding more often with flakes, I think.

Nikki

Shagster wrote:

My last water change was within 5 days... Plus, I'm only feeding my fish
1-2x per week, so I don't think it's that... I'll increase my water
change frequency and see what happens.

Thanks!
Troy



"Happy'Cam'per" wrote in message
...

Could be from protein build up in the water, when last did you do a water
change?
If not the water change it could just be residue from the fishfood. I've
heard that certain dechlorinaters can also leave this oily film. I
would'nt
worry too much about it though, as long as you're doing weekly water
changes
I think you'll be ok.
--
Kind Regards
Cameron


"Shagster" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all
of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At
the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in

the

water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see
the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

It is a protein build-up. It comes from the food, and from the fish. It is
normal. A little surface agitation will suspend it in solution for
filtration. People who use hob filters like aquaclear do not see this
because the filter agitates the surface. If you do not want to agitate
(due, lets say to plants needing the extra CO2) you can float a single sheet
of newspaper or even a paper towel for just 30 seconds or so, and it will
absorb the layer. When I do my water changes with the python system, I
invert the nozzle and "slurp" the water from the surface. This skims it off
nicely.


"Troy Bruder" wrote in message
...
That's EXACTLY what I'm seeing!


"Nikki Casali" wrote in message
...
I seem to have a similar film or scum across one of my planted tanks.
There isn't much movement at the surface. That's good as I don't want the
CO2 to dissipate too easily. But a scum builds up. I think algae even use
the scum to their advantage by hanging on to it and bathing in the light.
It does block a little light.

I have only been feeding my fish once a day, and only with sinking
tablets. The irony is that today I dropped in a few flakes and the scum
scattered in every direction, clearing it away to the sides. I'll try
feeding more often with flakes, I think.

Nikki

Shagster wrote:

My last water change was within 5 days... Plus, I'm only feeding my
fish 1-2x per week, so I don't think it's that... I'll increase my
water change frequency and see what happens.

Thanks!
Troy



"Happy'Cam'per" wrote in message
...

Could be from protein build up in the water, when last did you do a
water
change?
If not the water change it could just be residue from the fishfood. I've
heard that certain dechlorinaters can also leave this oily film. I
would'nt
worry too much about it though, as long as you're doing weekly water
changes
I think you'll be ok.
--
Kind Regards
Cameron


"Shagster" wrote in message
...

Hello,

I have a new problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a
moderately planted 30 gallon tank.. The water is crystal clear and all
of
my measurables appear to be in check...

Here's the odd thing.. When I come home, and look into the tank.. At
the
top of the water are thousands of tiny "trapped" bubbles from the
photosynthesis during the day than cannot escape. If I put my hands in

the

water, there appears to be a slimy film on the top of the water that's
preventing the bubbles from escaping.. If I stir the water, I can see
the
film "gooping" up into white chunks and floating around..

Any idea what that's all about?

Thanks,
Troy

Glenn wrote:
It is a protein build-up. It comes from the food, and from the fish. It is
normal. A little surface agitation will suspend it in solution for
filtration. People who use hob filters like aquaclear do not see this
because the filter agitates the surface. If you do not want to agitate
(due, lets say to plants needing the extra CO2) you can float a single sheet
of newspaper or even a paper towel for just 30 seconds or so, and it will
absorb the layer. When I do my water changes with the python system, I
invert the nozzle and "slurp" the water from the surface. This skims it off
nicely.

I had this problem with my planted 125g... I bought the Eheim 3535
surface skimmer and it works like a charm. Fluval makes one too, and I
think it is cheap.

No surface agitation, and it keeps the surface immaculate.



RAs


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I had this problem with my planted 125g... I bought the Eheim 3535
surface skimmer and it works like a charm. Fluval makes one too, and I
think it is cheap. I MEANT FROM A PRICE PERSPECTIVE!

RAS




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"Glenn" Spaketh Thusly:

It is a protein build-up. It comes from the food, and from the fish. It is
normal. A little surface agitation will suspend it in solution for
filtration. People who use hob filters like aquaclear do not see this
because the filter agitates the surface. If you do not want to agitate
(due, lets say to plants needing the extra CO2) you can float a single sheet
of newspaper or even a paper towel for just 30 seconds or so, and it will
absorb the layer. When I do my water changes with the python system, I
invert the nozzle and "slurp" the water from the surface. This skims it off
nicely.
I get the same thing. I skim it off with an extra large plastic cup before I
do my water changes if it's a vacuuming week. Otherwise it comes out as I
scoop the water out.

A while back someone mentioned here that platys will eat it. I've never had
one so I can't say how well that works.

--
Bill H. [my "reply to" address is real]
www.necka.net
Molon Labe!

According to "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium," the this is a protein
film on the water, the same thing that's responsible for the foam in
rapidly flowing creeks. This and suspended carbon-compounds are very
good for getting metals out of the water column. Excellent book filled
with experimental data, not pretty pictures.

Thanks to EVERYONE who replied!

Troy


"swint144" wrote in message
oups.com...
According to "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium," the this is a protein
film on the water, the same thing that's responsible for the foam in
rapidly flowing creeks. This and suspended carbon-compounds are very
good for getting metals out of the water column. Excellent book filled
with experimental data, not pretty pictures.

swint144 wrote:

According to "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium," the this is a protein
film on the water, the same thing that's responsible for the foam in
rapidly flowing creeks. This and suspended carbon-compounds are very
good for getting metals out of the water column. Excellent book filled
with experimental data, not pretty pictures.


Funny, I just read a review of this book at Amazn.co.uk:

"This is not a coffee-table book full of pretty pictures of a few
plants. Nor is it an encyclopaedia of plants with just a few notes on
keeping plants. This is about the ecology of the planted aquarium, or
how to keep plants in an aquarium. This is the best book on low-light
non-CO2 books ever written. Just swap soil for Flourite if you want to
avoid mess, and away you go...
If a book by a Tom Barr is ever written, buy that as well "

Nikki

Nikki Casali wrote:
swint144 wrote:

According to "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium," the this is a
protein
film on the water, the same thing that's responsible for the foam
in
rapidly flowing creeks. This and suspended carbon-compounds are
very
good for getting metals out of the water column. Excellent book
filled
with experimental data, not pretty pictures.


Funny, I just read a review of this book at Amazn.co.uk:

"This is not a coffee-table book full of pretty pictures of a few
plants. Nor is it an encyclopaedia of plants with just a few notes on

keeping plants. This is about the ecology of the planted aquarium, or

how to keep plants in an aquarium. This is the best book on low-light

non-CO2 books ever written. Just swap soil for Flourite if you want
to
avoid mess, and away you go...
If a book by a Tom Barr is ever written, buy that as well "

Nikki

Black mollies are a good way to get rid of the surface protein. They
just slurp it off the surface and do a great job.

Skip...

Skip wrote:

Nikki Casali wrote:

swint144 wrote:


According to "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium," the this is a

protein

film on the water, the same thing that's responsible for the foam

in

rapidly flowing creeks. This and suspended carbon-compounds are

very

good for getting metals out of the water column. Excellent book

filled

with experimental data, not pretty pictures.


Funny, I just read a review of this book at Amazn.co.uk:

"This is not a coffee-table book full of pretty pictures of a few
plants. Nor is it an encyclopaedia of plants with just a few notes on


keeping plants. This is about the ecology of the planted aquarium, or


how to keep plants in an aquarium. This is the best book on low-light


non-CO2 books ever written. Just swap soil for Flourite if you want

to

avoid mess, and away you go...
If a book by a Tom Barr is ever written, buy that as well "

Nikki


Black mollies are a good way to get rid of the surface protein. They
just slurp it off the surface and do a great job.

Skip...

Which is interesting because the mollies in my larger planted tank are
continuously slurping the surface and there is no surface scum. But my
other tank with the scum doesn't have a single fish with an upwardly
facing mouth, like mollies have. No fish in there has any interest in
the surface. In fact, I'd say they're all terrified of the surface.

Nikki