Oily film in filter?

Dori/amanda

Dori/amanda

AC Members
Dec 25, 2006
41
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44
Alabama
I looked in my filter today and saw a rainbow looking film.​
Here's what I've done different;
1. New plant :rolleyes: ;
2. 2 new Platy;
3. Feed them Tubifex Worms.

I cleaned the filter and checked with a strip and couldn't have gotten better results.
​
Should I worry? Do you know what it could be, the fish look happy
:fairy: My sig. is up todate I added what I was getting in all> :)
 
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I doubt it's anything to be worried about, but, what I would do is disturb the surface of the filter just before your next water changes, then use your gravel vac to skim the tanks water surface during the water change. Should take care of the film. It's caused becuase organics can cling to air bubbles (how a porotien skimer works) and the water's surface is just one big air bubble, or something like that (not completely sure on the cause(s)).
 
I have found several times that the beginning of blue green algae in the top of a couple of whisper filters I had was a rainbowish film which then turned the greenish color in a day or two.
 
it's a protein and organic surface scum which 'clings' to the water surface when their is insufficient surfact agitation. if you increase the disruption of the surface by reducing the water level a little such that the filter creates some ripples across the surface, or adjust the spray bar (cannister filters) to create the same effect, that scum will disperse.

should you worry? no, but enough of this 'scum' can interfere with oxygen exchange at the surface.
 
thank the filter is in direct sun light. only place i could put it. thats ok I've never really had algae it might be my time huh
 
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