Proteins?

fishboy

fishboy

Superstar Fish
#1
Oct 22, 2002
1,565
0
36
34
Cincinnati, Ohio
#1
Hi all,

 I have a 20gal tank with 5 neon tetras, 1 small discus, and 2 ottocinclus for algae control. The tank is fully planted. I have 2 fifteen watt bulbs on the tank. The tank is mostly planted with swords,java moss,some crytocrynes,and some hygrophilia. It has iron plus tablets and is dosed with Aquarium Pharm. Leaf zone, i have recently stopped though because it seemed to actually help the algae more than the plants. The water parameters are
                      ammonia: 0
                      nitrIte:0
                      Ph: around 6.6
                      dh: 4 degrees
Anyway, to get to my question, i have noticed at the top of the water there is a film of proteins( whenever i touch the water level it spreads out). I'm guessing that it's proteins??? Anyway, it doesn't seem to bother the fish or anything but, it is kinda annoying. So i am wondering if anyone knows a way to get rid of it???

                                               Thanks,
                                                       

                                                              Feno'stol

                                                           Daniel
                       
 

C

colesea

Superstar Fish
#3
Oct 22, 2002
1,612
0
0
NY USA
#3
They make protien skimmers for that sort of stuff. You wouldn't have to run it all the time, probably just an hour or two a day.

Or you could put an airstone in there and agitate the surface. Or tilt your filter output so that it ripples the water's surface.
Moving the surface water will also help disappate the protien.
~~Colesea
 

fishboy

fishboy

Superstar Fish
#5
Oct 22, 2002
1,565
0
36
34
Cincinnati, Ohio
#5
Just an update:
Finally i figured out why there were so many proteins! It was because my filter sponge needed to be replaced! :-[
But, atleast the proteins are gone *celebratesmiley*
Oh and i also added to my neons to make the school to eight *thumbsupsmiley* ;D
 

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