Surface scum/film

[Dave Pierce]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can help or explain why I am getting a thin white film on the surface of my water? The tanks 60L and been set up around 50 days. Housed with 10 lemon tetras and 4 amano shrimp. Co2 is 30-35 bpm. 48W of light. Dosing APF complete 5ml per day.

Will it go away? I have been doing water changes twice a week since set up. I'm wondering whether i'm dosing wrong or not enough co2? Or is it just normal?

 

[ceg4048]

Is that 48 watts of T5? If so then yes, it's normal for plants that are being pummeled with too much light.

Cheers,

 

[Dave Pierce]

Why do you say its too much light?

 

[ceg4048]

Because light caused damage to the plant by a process known as "photoinhibition". You cannot just add as much light as you want because this results in more damage than the plant can handle.

Check out the following threads:
Surface Film | UK Aquatic Plant Society
What causes leaves to melt, and what to do now? | UK Aquatic Plant Society
Old Skool Returnee - London tap water? | UK Aquatic Plant Society

Cheers,

 

[HarryRobinson]

Increasing your water surface agitation will help it go away as it gets 'sucked' under the surface and is taken up by the filter

 

[Dave Pierce]

Thanks Ceg for all the information. I have had a good read and my underatanding of the root to my problem is I do not have enough co2 and nutrients to match my lighting levels. Therefore plants are overpowered with light which is causing the 'circuits' to melt? Am i on the right lines?

 

[ceg4048]

Yes, this is exactly correct.

You are The One, Neo.

Cheers,

 

[Dave Pierce]

Haha. Thanks Morpheus.

I will be upping the nutrient dosing and Co2 then. Will do it gradually and see how we go. Can't beat good old trial and error!

 

[Ian Holdich]

And if all else fails
Ehiem micro skimmer 350 review. | UK Aquatic Plant Society

 

[ian_m]

Or an air pump during non CO2 time.

 

[jack-rythm]

if you just simply raise the intake pipe so its slightly breaking the surface the scum will disappear. simples

 

[stacey]

Or get a black molly