Tropical aquarium surface film bacteria

[Mr31415]

Without surface skimming, a tropical aquarium (especially if CO2 injected) quickly develops a surface layer of bacteria. This layer prevents proper oxygenation of the water, which can be harmful if the tank is not planted heavily enough.

Here are some closeups of exactly how this layer looks like. It is clear to me that there are multiple different species go bacteria just going on morphological differences. And naturally, as many organisms feed on microbes, this is the ideal place for a nice buffet. Just sad the bacteria seems to be winning...


20140128-DSLR_IMG_0019.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria, 60x, DIC, HF B


20140128-DSLR_IMG_0019.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria, 60x, DIC, HF B (100% crop)


20140128-DSLR_IMG_0052.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria, 60x, DIC


20140128-DSLR_IMG_0050.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria and testate amoebas, 60x, DIC


20140128-DSLR_IMG_0066.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria and diatoms, 60x, DIC

As Steve Jobs was famous for saying - but wait, there's more:

20140128-DSLR_IMG_0069.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr
Tropical aquarium surface film - bacteria and diatoms, 60x, DIC

 

[Misled]

Nice pics. When we go out on hikes in the early spring, it begins to show on stagnate areas of fresh water. We always called it primordial ooze.