oily surface

[Jht]

in 1 of my tanks there is, if you look at it in the right light and angle a oily looking surface what is this, should i be worried all the fish seem fine

 

[andyt_uk]

i think we must have just posted together - i have a similar worry, as advised by Ken, try drain a little off by putting the rim of a beaker just below the surface

i'd also get an oxygen level test kit to know for sure if it is affecting the oxygen levels in the water

 

[Globel]

i use to get that and i switched fish foods. I was using a wierd fish food that coused that type of sufface. You might try feeding your fish less food too. Disruption of the suface might make it look like its gone away but it will probably still be in the water. But it is prolly from the oils in the fishfood.

 

[smb]

I agree with Globel. I got that a couple times based upon a new food I was using. I took a paper towel and held one end and skimmed the film with the other end then did a wc.

 

[Inchworm]

Is your tank covered, jht?

If it isn't, it could pick up particals of oil from cooking, cigarette smoke etc. much the way your curtains and blinds do.

 

[Juggernaut22988]

I have that prob too!

 

[teknikz]

its just oil from the food u are using thats all......u can try changing ur food type or brand and u should see the problem stop.....i had it using flakes so now i use granular food

 

[FishBazzar]

My fry tank gets that but I think it's because I feed them egg yolk.

 

[plecoguy]

my fry tank does that when i use that liquid fry food.

 

[Gunnie]

I have a 10 gal. running at my office with a HOB filter that barely causes a ripple on the top of the water. That film was driving me crazy! At first i thought it was the crappy water we have in that town, and continually cleaned it off by laying a paper towel over the top. Well, I got tired of this quickly, and put a sponge filter in the tank. The extra aeration has solved the problem. The oil is either being stirred up enough to get sucked into the filter, or it's constantly being churned up so much that you don't see it. If you don't want to use a sponge filter, a simple airstone would probably do the trick.

 

[lighter]

Have a powerhead to push the current on the water surface? THis will help to break up the oil surface..

 

[AttackKoala]

The oily surface thing is a well-known problem in marine aquarium-keeping. It is caused (unless you are using a liquid/oily food) by oils from your skin coming off into the water when you put your hands in to change things etc. It is not an issue for freshwater tanks, but for Marine you need to be careful because it limits gaseous exchange between the air and water.

 

[Inchworm]

The oily surface thing is a well-known problem in marine aquarium-keeping. It is caused (unless you are using a liquid/oily food) by oils from your skin coming off into the water when you put your hands in to change things etc. It is not an issue for freshwater tanks, but for Marine you need to be careful because it limits gaseous exchange between the air and water.

I never thought of that, Attack Koala. Although, since I am a smoker, I wash my hands before feeding my fish or tending the tanks.

In freshwater tanks, it can be a problem with gourami fry (possibly betta fry, too) because while their labrynth is developing it is critical that the water surface be clean and have just a slight movement.

The liquid fry food causes this film on the surface, too, so it cannot be used for them.