Surface scum and co2

[Dave Pierce]

Hi,

Does anyone know if a combination of too much co2 and too little light can cause surface scum?

My reason for the question is because my understanding of the cause is down to too much light and too little co2. However after raising my light quite high and increasing my co2 by much more the surface scum has only got worse.

So I'm wondering whether too much carbon intake and not enough light is causing the plants to leech waste products and cause the scum on the surface?

Cheers
Dave

 

[parotet]

I think the surface scum/film is nothing more but organic matter. Increasing co2 will probably increase the growth of your plants, thus their waste products. In my case it helped to create a nice rippling on the water surface. It helped not only to break this film surface but also to increase the level of co2 without gassing the fish.

Jordi

 

[Claire]

I only find that I get surface scum when the outlet pipe is too low in the water and not causing enough surface agitation.

 

[parotet]

I only find that I get surface scum when the outlet pipe is too low in the water and not causing enough surface agitation.

Yep, it is the same for me... I'm trying more and more rippling, plants and animals seem to like it

 

[pepedopolous]

Have you seen this? Tropica Aquarium Plants - Rådgivning - Tekniske artikler - Vandplanters biologi - Interaktioner mellem lys og CO2

Less scum means better gas exchange and more stable CO2. You may even be able to increase the CO2 without harming the fish which can mean only good things for your plants.

So I think you should ensure more agitation on the surface or just get an Eheim Skim 350 to sort the scum out for good.

 

[Dave Pierce]

Ok thanks for your replies all.

I was under the impression less agitation the better.

I have adjusted my outflows which are now causing a ripple on the surface. I will adjust the co2 as required by checking my drop checker this afternoon.

Hopefully I will see improvements. Thanks for your help I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Dave Pierce]

Is it weird to think that already it seems as though the plants are responding well to the surface agitation? Pearling has increased loads today.

Let's hope the surface scum doesn't appear.

 

[MikeG747]

Is it weird to think that already it seems as though the plants are responding well to the surface agitation? Pearling has increased loads today.

Let's hope the surface scum doesn't appear.

Actually it just means that there is far more O2 dissolved in your water which means that when the plants photosynthesize they are producing O2 that cannot be dissolved into an O2 saturated water column, thus the gas stays in gaseous form and you see pearling. Generally O2 rich water is a good thing though!

 

[Dave Pierce]

Ah well that makes sense.

Will see what effect agitation has on the plant health and the surface film.

Hopefully the film won't appear tomorrow!

 

[Dave Pierce]

Film has almost gone!

I have made to changes:

Increased the light by lowering it.

Increase surface agitation by raising the outlet to just below the surface of the water.

And my normal water changes.

I know I can't judge these things until a couple of weeks after the changes have been made. But so far so good!