Film on the surface of the water in the aquarium: the reasons for the formation and methods of disposal

Many aquarium owners notice a film on the surface of the water. Should I be worried about this? Why does it arise and is it worth removing it? How can you get rid of this phenomenon in your aquarium?

Any aquarium cannot function properly without tiny bacteria. These microorganisms have important functions:

• processing of organic pollutants and protein compounds, which are waste from fish and plants;
• the production of minerals that are consumed by fish and plant roots;
• providing food for shrimp and snails, for which bacteria are the main food.

Such bacteria accumulate in films that cover the surface of the water.

Not all bacteria are beneficial. Harmful microorganisms can appear in the films. Because of them, an imbalance can occur, which will negatively affect the life of all inhabitants of the aquarium. Shrimps and snails especially suffer from this, because these inhabitants of the aquarium feed on all bacteria indiscriminately - both good and bad. In cases like this it is necessary to get rid of the film, because the entire living world of the aquarium may die.

Specialists and experts cannot yet come to a consensus on the effect of the bacterial film on the reservoir and its inhabitants.Some of them still believe that the organic film that covered the water not only does not harm the reservoir, but even holds the CO2 molecules inside. Therefore, in the presence of a film, aquatic vegetation develops more actively.

Also because of the film the water practically does not evaporate, and its temperature rises. If you do not take measures to remove the film, the fish will suffocate. But experts agree in one opinion. This applies to film that has been formed due to chemicals. Such plaque should be removed as quickly as possible along with a source of harmful chemicals.

Before we deal with the methods of getting rid of plaque on the water, it is necessary to establish the cause of such an unpleasant phenomenon. In fact, there can be many such factors.

1. Chemical components often cause such an unpleasant and even dangerous phenomenon. In some cases, it can even sparkle with different colors. Chemicals can enter the reservoir along with drugs, untreated decorations, and materials used in the renovation process.
2. If the rules for using heating devices and radiators are violated, a white film may also appear. Radiators, for example, are a source of harmful vapors that accumulate on the water surface.
3. Saprophyte bacteria live by eating organic matter, which also leads to the formation of plaque.
4. The appearance of blue-green algae in the reservoir provokes the active reproduction of cyanobacteria. The ideal conditions for increasing the number of the latter microorganisms are bright light and stagnation in water, which should not be allowed.
5. The bacterial film on the surface of the grayish aquarium water is the result of the decomposition of food that has not been eaten by the fish, and animal waste products. Also, the formation of plaque is influenced by the processes of plant decay.
6. If the soil sours in the tank, then this phenomenon can also provoke the appearance of a film. Microscopic elements of the soil react with carbon dioxide molecules, which causes acidification of the soil, or rather, its colloidal layer. Molecules of carbon dioxide in the form of bubbles rise and carry with them particles of rotten soil.

Now it remains to understand how it is possible to determine the composition of the formed film on the water surface and to identify the true cause of this phenomenon. To do this, you need to perform a number of actions:

• examine all the elements that are installed in the tank;
• check the basic water parameters;
• determine the concentration of the main pathogenic substances in water.

Organic bacterial film, as we have already seen, is not always beneficial for the aquarium. What to do if fish start to feel bad because of the film on the water? There are several ways that will remove the unpleasant phenomenon in the tank and help save its inhabitants.

• Effective filtration and aeration system sufficient strength allows you to forget about such a problem as plaque in the aquarium. If the water is stirred vigorously enough, then the film will not be able to stay on the surface.

• Paper allows you to quickly and effectively remove plaque from water. This method has been repeatedly tested in practice and always gives a positive result. You just need to put a sheet of paper on the water, wait a little, take it by the corners and gently pull it out. Slime and other dirt will remain on the paper. This procedure can be repeated several times, which will be determined by the degree of water pollution.

• Fiza pimpled snails or Australian fiza snails are excellent tank attendants.... These small animals have a rounded, swirling shell that is tinged with a greyish brown hue. These snails often enter aquariums along with plants. The pimply physis attaches to the glass near the water surface and actively eats the microorganisms that are contained in the film. Snails are actively increasing their numbers, so you need to constantly monitor this.

• One of the technical devices that is able to remove an unpleasant phenomenon from an aquarium is VUPPA-1. This name hides a surface extractor. It is fixed on the vertical glass and removes all dirt in a short time of operation. Outwardly, the device resembles a glass in which the top layer of water is collected. Inside the device, the collected water goes through several stages of cleaning, after which it returns to the aquarium.

• The use of ultraviolet light and antibiotics is considered the most radical way... The rays of the UV spectrum kill microorganisms, then they need to be collected with a regular blotter. To use antibiotics, it is necessary to dissolve biomycin (1 tablet for every 10 liters of water). When using any of these products, you must first remove all living organisms from the aquarium.

• The aquarium must be covered with a lid... In this case, dust will not accumulate on the surface of the water, which is also one of the reasons for the contamination of the tank and the appearance of plaque.

Removing harmful film from your aquarium is easy, and there are many effective ways to do this. But it would be correct not to allow the water to be covered with this substance, then the condition of the reservoir will be in good condition, and every resident will be comfortable in it.

How to get rid of the bacterial film, see below.