film on water surface

[ErinBBC]

I switched to a new filter that doesn't create as many bubbles on the top of the water and I have noticed a film forming on the top of the water. I tried floating a paper towel, but if I do that it breaks up his bubble nests (which he has proudly started building since the surface is calm) and he gets all pissed.

Is there a way to stop the film from forming? And what is the film exactly?

[Meatpuppet]

does your tank have a hood/cover? ive had a little tank without a cover and ive also heard this problem before where they didnt have a cover. i guess that it is some air particalls like dust settle on the water surface.
so a hood could possibly stop the film from forming (its also good bcuz bettas are great at jumping out of tanks)

[ErinBBC]

Yep, he has a hood.

[okiemavis]

Do you have some sort of driftwood or something that creating gunk? It sounds like something unhealthy is building up in this tank, and you'll want to up the water changes.

[ErinBBC]

I added a live plant...maybe it's decomposing but it looks healthy. I looked up some info online and it looks like a type of algae that grows on the surface or something called protein film.

I'm going to do a water change, clean the gravel, and see what happens. I usually do a 25% water change once every five days (I have a five gallon tank w/ filter)...should I be changing the water more often? If it doesn't stop I'll try some AlgaeFix maybe.