Green metallic looking scum...

[Perry]

hello,

I am new to having a pond and after everything going well for a couple of months, a green metallic scum/film has developed on the surface. Any ideas what it is and how I can treat/get rid of it? Pictures attached.

Thank you.

 

[GBBUDD]

To me it looks like a TON of broken down matter in your water column. i'm guessing you don't use a skimmer? this is a rather small pond? few plants ? Water changes aren't standard maintenance?
Minimum of a 50% water change but make sure you skim the surface with the water change. do you have fish? GET A LOT MORE PLANTS INTO THE PLAN. 50% WATER CHANGE every week add detoxifier to the water changes and get the temps close to one another if you do have fish.
One more question. if you put your finger into the water/ pond scum does it stick to your finger or does it run away from your finger

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome @Perry ! Sorry that it's trouble that's brought you to find the GPF, but hopefully you can find some answers here!

Tell us more about your pond - how big, how old, do you have fish and if so how many, what kind, how big, what kind of filtration, any aeration, plants... basically the more you tell us, the better answers we may be able to provide.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum Perry, everybody will try to help you figure this one out!

 

[Perry]

It is a very small garden pond as per the photo. We have 1 goldfish and there is a small filtration pump and a couple of aquatic plants.

 

[Perry]

We have a net that we use every day to clear the leaves and debris from the surface, but I will buy a skimmer as suggested, thank you. I will then do a 50% water change and add a few more plants. If I dip my finger into the scum, it runs away very quickly.

 

[GBBUDD]

We have a net that we use every day to clear the leaves and debris from the surface, but I will buy a skimmer as suggested, thank you. I will then do a 50% water change and add a few more plants. If I dip my finger into the scum, it runs away very quickly.

Scum runs away means its natural not man made the skimmer isn't a must. but its apparent the filter might be over worked. for that sized pond i'd treat it more like a n aquarium with water changes and vacuuming

 

[MitchM]

It sounds like it could be Cyanobacteria.
Lots of water circulation, water changes, vacuuming the bottom and filtration.
There is an antibiotic available if the problem persists.