Film on the surface

[eaglelox]

ive got a film on the surface of my water and I am not sure what it is. the tank is located next to the window and we have had some forrest fires, and the window has been open some of the time. It doesnt appear to have affected anything in the tank, but it is ugly. One other tank in my room has it, but the third tank does not, I dont understand?

Thanks
Christie

[Brooke]

Try getting more surface agitation. The only thing that will really help is surface skimming. If you use a hang on skimmer, see if they have a surface skimming box. If you have an overflow, the water should be coming off the surface already.

Brooke

[eaglelox]

i have a surface skimmer. i have had the film for about 2 weeks

[eaglelox]

when i said there were fires in my area i meant that i could barely see across the street. worse than a bad day in LA. this went on for about 2 weeks then skipped a week then back for a week. i have some plants growing but not alot.i don't know if it means anything but my amphapod population has sky rocketed.they are everywhere and doing the wild thing all the time.can i have to many. the whole surface of the water is in motion. there is quite a bit of circulation more than in my other tanks. thanks

Steve

[ 09-13-2001: Message edited by: eaglelox ]

[FishDaddy]

Eagleox,
The trick is to get the stuff into the water column where the skimmer can take it out. Sometimes this can be algae or just detritus, often caught up in oily substances that comes from hands! :wavy:
As suggested, surface agitation, surface skimming, checking lighting and water params, can get it in check.
I've been bothered by it infrequently, but when it appears, I check the above and physically remove as much as possible.
One way to do this is to float a clean sheet(s) of typing paper on the surface briefly, then lift it off, taking quite an amount of the film away.
Dick

[Brooke]

If the water is coming off the surface and going to your skimmer, then you may not have enough surface agitation or circulation. Another thought is that you could have contaminants or an overabundance of organics in the water. Point at powerhead at the surface of the water and run some carbon.

Brooke

[eaglelox]

thanks brook and fishdady.