Murky film on water of ACF Tadpoles ): ??

[Genevieve]

My frogs laid eggs on Friday of last week, and the tadpoles have just hatched 3 days ago and are big enough to swim around occassionally. However, on all three containers (2 blue plastic buckets with 1 gal water, 1 really big glass jar thing with about 1 gal water) there is a murky clear film on the top of the water. When I poke it or try to break it, it bunches up like a skin and is white. I've scraped it off a few times, but it comes back. I'm afraid to do any water changes because the tads are still so small and I'm unsure how to move them, but will the film harm them at all?

 

[Jennewt]

It is usually caused by protein in the water. It's harmless, but may interfere with gas exchange at the surface. Can you add an airstone (regulated to have just a trickle of air)? This would cure the problem. An immediate solution is to skim it off with a paper towel.

 

[Genevieve]

Oh good. : D
Where is a good place to get airstones? Are they usually expensive?

 

[Molch]

Oh good. : D
Where is a good place to get airstones? Are they usually expensive?

any pet store will have them. They are cheap; anywhere from 25 cents to a few bucks for a deluxe version. You could also simply bubble an open airline, that would do the trick as well.