Strange Film And Bubbles On Surface? (need Help)

Aye guys, so 2 days ago I woke up and I noticed a clear film/layer on top of my tank with bubbles on it and bubbles around the edges and coming out of my filter. That day I did a 25% water change and it helped with the problem, but bubbles still were seeming to come out of my filter and make a plopping sound as it hit the water. Today, I woke up and the film was back on the water. I believe it is a protein build up and has created a protein layer at the surface. So now, how do I properly fix this problem and fix the bubbles from the filter too? My guess for the filter is to clean the sponge of where the water come out of the filter (the foam guard), but Idk, you guys tell me.

 

What kind of a filter do you have on this tank and what's the gph rating? Is this the 10 gallon tank listed in your profile? How much water do you change and how often do you change it? Do you have live plants?

 

What kind of a filter do you have on this tank and what's the gph rating? Is this the 10 gallon tank listed in your profile? How much water do you change and how often do you change it? Do you have live plants?

No live plants but I'm think of getting some. I have a Quiet Flow 10 for my 10 gallon tank; rate of 100 ghp

 

I have a similar filter on a 5. It turned out the problem was that there wasn't enough surface agitation. It won't cause any harm, it just doesn't look great. Do you have an airstone? I added an airstone and both went away. You could also try dropping the water level to create more agitation or a get a different filter.

 

When you do water change turn everything off, let things settle for few moments, suck only the thin top layer of water off until the film is gone. Turn everything back on and if you see the film repeat process again. That is the best way to remove bio film through water changes, not sucking water randomly from tank. There are other ways using enzymes & bacteria that eat this bio film, that is not the best route for you to take. You need to find out what is causing the organic pollution, filters dirty ? gravel ? overfeeding ?

I have a similar filter on a 5. It turned out the problem was that there wasn't enough surface agitation. It won't cause any harm, it just doesn't look great. Do you have an airstone? I added an airstone and both went away. You could also try dropping the water level to create more agitation or a get a different filter.

It didn't go away, all you did was hide it. The organics are still there mixed in the water where you don't see it.

 

When you do water change turn everything off, let things settle for few moments, suck only the thin top layer of water off until the film is gone. Turn everything back on and if you see the film repeat process again. That is the best way to remove bio film through water changes, not sucking water randomly from tank. There are other ways using enzymes & bacteria that eat this bio film, that is not the best route for you to take. You need to find out what is causing the organic pollution, filters dirty ? gravel ? overfeeding ?



It didn't go away, all you did was hide it. The organics are still there mixed in the water where you don't see it.

There are bubbles coming from the filter, so maybe the filter is dirt. Should I clean the foam guard and the pump when doing a water change? Should I also clean the heater?

Also, should I get an air stone to increase surface agitation, I have one in mind if I do but I'm trying to find a petsmart coupon

 

There are bubbles coming from the filter, so maybe the filter is dirt. Should I clean the foam guard and the pump when doing a water change? Should I also clean the heater?

Don't go hog wild because people can get into trouble when they panic, they end up throwing their good bacteria away and have more problems. You can squeeze
out the sponge for starters. Do water change as I suggest. If you look at the water surface at an angle you will see the film, suck it all off.

Also, should I get an air stone to increase surface agitation, I have one in mind if I do but I'm trying to find a petsmart coupon

Air stones are great for moving water that increases air exchange at the surface, they do not cure excessive proteins (organics) from the aquarium. Saltwater/Reef keepers know this very well, we have a useful tool called protein skimmer, works well in salt, not so well in freshwater.