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Post by palepinkvase on Dec 18, 2003 18:32:08 GMT -5
I have four Bettas. One in particular, Scraggle Fin, frequently develops a film on top of his water. When I first noticed it, I moved his bowl thinking it was gunk from the air. When that didnt change things, I started doing water changes every 2 days to every other day. That didn't correct the problem, as the film would appear within 24 hours of a water change. So I just started using the net to skim off the film. Now that the weather has gotten more wintery, the film does not appear as often or as soon after a water change. He is in a 1 gallon container and I do a water change every week. After reading the message boards, I have started adding some aquarium salt to all the guys' bowls (which they really seem to like.) After reading a reply from Denise, I am going to switch from gravel to glass and stop using a metal spoon to scoop out debris. All my guys are Bettas I saw at a WalMart being kept in such a pitiful state that I had to bring them home. They all seem to be happy now and without any health problems. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Post by abm on Dec 18, 2003 18:57:58 GMT -5
i have no answers for you, but i do experience the same thing, and it is worse with some of my bettas than with others. i thought it was just a signal to change my water, but like you it seems to appear very soon after water changes. and again like you, i also no longer use metal utensils near my bettas and i just bought some lovely glass marbles to replace gravel. i'm glad to know that what i'm going thru isn't completely unique and i'll be watching for other posts to your question, hopefully with some answers!  |
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Post by palepinkvase on Dec 18, 2003 22:47:08 GMT -5
I am glad to hear that someone else is experiencing this, and in the same manner. It's nice to know that I am not alone. Scraggle Fin water gets the worst and Lambert's water sometimes gets filmy. My other 2 never have the problem. A friend offered that he heard that some Bettas produce more oil than others and that the film is the result of that, but he has no idea if this is true or not. Scraggle Fin seems happy enough, the film doesn't prevent him from eating or taking air. How about your Bettas? also, how do you like the marbles? was the switch from the gravel easy on you and your Bettas? |
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Post by Emerson on Dec 19, 2003 9:08:49 GMT -5
Hi, It could be a form of bacteria. I have the same thing with my two 2.5 gallon tanks, but it seems to have lessened now that they are cycled. Sometimes it looks like a thin film on the water surface, and at other times it looks like little flakes. I really wouldn't worry about it. You can try skimming it off with a papertowel or a fish net, but that never worked for me.  sef |
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Post by abm on Dec 19, 2003 10:24:46 GMT -5
Regarding marbles/glass balls - my guys don't seem to care. They're smooth so I don't worry about them getting an accidental snag, and the spaces between them are large so I can see "stuff" easier and turkey-baster it on outta there They do kind of check stuff out when I first put them back into a clean, fresh tank and I've seen them gliding along the bottom by the marbles where I didn't see them doing that with the regular gravel. Maybe it feels good? I started with gravel b/c I was told it helps to break down wastes in the water. I haven't noticed that the water is any dirtier with marbles and they are MUCH easier to clean at change time, and they don't retain any fishy/dirty water smell at all which is nice. My daughter brought her betta (in the teensy betta cup  ) home for the holidays - she spilled some water in the car and the water smelled horrid. It took me nearly 45 minutes of CONSTANT rinsing to get the gravel smelling normal. After nearly a week of being annoyed with me for "messing with" her fish, she is finally coming around and beginning to learn that fish don't have to stink - I'll convert her yet!  |
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Post by Crystal on Dec 19, 2003 12:52:57 GMT -5
This was posted on the archived message board last year by Celeste explaining this film: ---------------------------------------------------------- To Kenna and CountryBunnyGal along with anyone else who has noticed their tanks producing a clear film on the top of the water: I did some research in the Biology lab, talked to my professor, and found out what this stuff is. It is indeed a bacteria that is causing the film. But the film itself is not the bacteria, it's the waste deposits that the bacteria in the water leave behind. Apparently facilities that use any sort of water cooling process and need to have large vats of still water have this problem as well. The bacteria deposits are messy and an absolute meanie to get rid of, but it is harmless to our fish. Doesn't solve the nasty problem, but it puts my mind at ease. Hope it does the same for you guys. bright blessings, Celeste |
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Post by Emerson on Dec 19, 2003 12:55:19 GMT -5
Indeed it does! Thanks so much for looking into this problem further.
sef
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Post by palepinkvase on Dec 21, 2003 1:17:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the info on the mystery film! I am relieved that it is simply a nuisance and not serious problem. |
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spiff
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 228
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Post by spiff on Dec 22, 2003 17:49:38 GMT -5
I've noticed some film on my tanks, but I don't know if it's the same as what others have experienced. It's only on one side of my divided tank, and if I put a spoon in the tank and mix the film, some white flakes float to the bottom...really annoying!
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Post by palepinkvase on Dec 22, 2003 23:40:58 GMT -5
if I put a spoon in the tank and mix the film, some white flakes float to the bottom...really annoying! that is exactly what happens in my bowls. I have been using the fish net to scoop as much as I can out. |
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buddy
Fry
my bettas - BROWSER and ERIC THE RED
Posts: 57
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Post by buddy on Oct 27, 2004 8:24:03 GMT -5
Hi! I was read the message board when I saw this one. I also have been seeing a film on top of the water. I was using stress coat and think that maybe it could be the aloe venu in it . So I started to use Novaqua and Amquel plus and my water looks a lot better. I will have to see if the film come back. I am shocked  to hear that your are having the same problem. My betta is in a 1 gal bowl too. If someone out there know why there is film on top of the water please let me know. |
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Post by amanichen on Oct 27, 2004 9:22:50 GMT -5
Actually, it's common in small tanks that are not cleaned often, and do not have lots of water movement. Also, high protein foods contribute to it.
Aloe might provide extra organic matter that contributes to it, but it's certainly not the only cause.
Basically, flowing water along with a better maintenance routine will help take care of it. It is bacterial in nature, and if you get it, then that might be a sign that there's excess organic matter in your fish's water.
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) home for the holidays - she spilled some water in the car and the water smelled horrid. It took me nearly 45 minutes of CONSTANT rinsing to get the gravel smelling normal. After nearly a week of being annoyed with me for "messing with" her fish, she is finally coming around and beginning to learn that fish don't have to stink - I'll convert her yet! 
to hear that your are having the same problem. My betta is in a 1 gal bowl too. If someone out there know why there is film on top of the water please let me know.
