General Care Discussion :: Mystery film on waters surface

[EmperorTunaFish]

Howdy folks.

A slimy something has appeared on the surface of Zucchini's water. First time it showed up I did a partial change of water, and it did not appear for about 10 days. It looks oily and is slimy to the touch. Above the waterline is not visible from under the water.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4779/mw15ad8.jpg

It also did not show up prior to having my XP3... I have the media that came with, and a package of Fluval Biomax bacteria helper thingamajiggers (added later). Anyone have a clue what it could be?

[mikee]

What is the size of your tank? What are sizes of your turtle? What are the temps in the water and basking (lighing)? What is the gph of your filter/pump? What are you feeding your turtles? How often and how much? How often are you making your 50% water changes? What are the amnomia, nitrites and nitrates levels?

[kevin]

Any time I feed Leo anything that I've soaked in tuna, I usually get a film on the top of the water.....if that helps at all.

[TheComputerGremlin]

That's what my water used to look like when I had my turtle in a tiny tank with little water. I assumed it was oil buildup from the bad water conditions. I would hope that your filter would take care of it. How long have you been filtering the water?

[industrial_girl_2000]

I've gotten that film on the water any time I fed my turtle any kind of meat product treats in her tank (like cooked chicken). Sometimes it comes from her waste after she has eaten a meat product. The film you are talking about is just a light layer of oil/fat & is not harmful to their health.

[marisa]

If you're not feeding your turtle oily food in the tank and you're seeing a film, try positioning the outlet so that it agitates the surface of the water a little. It will help with films that often occur with surfaces that lack movement.

[confrontinglife]

Adjust the filter outtake so that it is disturbing the water surface. If there is not enough agitation on the surface of the water it will develop this film.

[Cramer]

Probably organic wastes and proteins. Comes from everything, but mostly pellets and meat. A spectrally colorfull film, that looks like an oil slick or puddle at the gas station is fine and harmless. Add some water agitation to keep it from asphixiating the surface gas exchange and you can add carbon or replenish, if you haven't. If it urks you too much, you can get a protein skimmer.

[emma]

I have had this on the top of my water before too. Its really annoying! What I did was the same thing that Marisa suggested to do. It really helps a lot.

[Vtolds]

I had the same problem I switch my XP3 outlet from the spray bar too the nozzle which created more motion in the water which not only got rid of the stuff at the top but my tank stays a bit cleaner.

[Bumby's Mom]

If you get a bubble stick and air pump the bubbles will take care of it.

[Tiny]

I had it too! I found that those levely shiny rocks i had in the tank were waxed to shine. Took em out, rinsed and returned. It went away.

[SaweetTURTLE:)]

the same thing happens to me. I think its stuff comin out of my filter

[sai_dee]

It's protein. The best way to take care of it is water surface agitation which means either a bubbler or to position your filter outlet above the surface.

[Twoster]

I too, have had that same stuff on my water surface...

i put my old tetra, in-tank, lil "repti filter" thing in to break the water surface and i havent seen it since..and it adds for alittle waterfall kinda..ha.. (i have my xp3 output tube vertical so it really splashes water around if i move it up, water level drops faster)

but anyways, i found this topic by searching for "skimmer"..

and im wondering if anyone here uses one?..and what brand?..im interested in getting one to free up space...

i was checking this one out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-Fish-Tank- ... dZViewItem

cheap but looks effective..

and finally, im wondering if anyone would oppose skimmers.. turtle getting caught up in it somehow?...my turtle is between 3-4 inches..