Layer Of What Seems Like 'oil' ?

[The Taffy Apple]

Good morning all, just thought i'd write a quick thread concerning what seems to be a layer of oil on the surface of my water.

My tank has been cycled for a month or so now, all parameters and fish are fine, yet this layer has me a little concerened..

When i put my finger into it, it breaks up only to reform again instantly. It reminds me of when car oil sits on top of a rain puddle (i guarantee it's not car oil though!).

It doesn't seem to be doing my fish any harm what-so-ever, but what could it be?

Any help highly appreciated,
Terry.

 

[ZoddyZod]

it's quite normal to have a thin oily film form across the waters surface. It is usually caused by flake/dried foods.

if you want to break it up, try angling your filter outlet so that is disturbs the waters surface more.

 

[KittyKat]

Protein from fish food when it is oily (so, in your case); dust if it is not oily.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Ah, ok, makes sense.

I have a little internal filter in the tank as well, it came with my 30L tank, but it is purely used only for surface aggitation. I have now moved it slightly up above the water line and it seems to be doing the job.

Thanks both, appreciated
Terry.

 

[waterdrop]

Also, if you ever have some reason you want to get rid of it right then, you can just quickly float a paper towel across the surfact and then take it up (having your normal cloth tank towel at the ready of course.) WD (you beginners have figured out how nice it is to keep tank towels handy, right lol?)

 

[mattbleasby]

Also, if you ever have some reason you want to get rid of it right then, you can just quickly float a paper towel across the surfact and then take it up (having your normal cloth tank towel at the ready of course.) WD (you beginners have figured out how nice it is to keep tank towels handy, right lol?)

Never heard of that before haha, You dont work for "Bounty" do you

 

[waterdrop]

Also, if you ever have some reason you want to get rid of it right then, you can just quickly float a paper towel across the surfact and then take it up (having your normal cloth tank towel at the ready of course.) WD (you beginners have figured out how nice it is to keep tank towels handy, right lol?)

Never heard of that before haha, You dont work for "Bounty" do you

no, heard it here on TFF. I, in fact, quite enjoy being a "scribe" mentioning and condensing some of the many good things for beginners that we hear from the many more experienced hobbyists here on TFF. I pepper in a few of my own experiences when I can but many here have a lot more steady experience than me. ~~wd~~

 

[coldcazzie]

I have 3 tank towels! A big one and 2 little ones! Because usually I have 1 on the floor, 1 over my shoulder and 1 in a heap somewhere close-by.

Although more often than not I end up using a bath towel because the cats have moulted all over the fish towels, and there's nothing worse than drying your hands on a towel covered in hair, and then putting your hands back in the tank and end up with half a cat floating around in there

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I too always have 3 towels close by when doing water changes...big beach towel on the floor, one tucked into my shorts/trousers waistline and another within easy reach.

In fact, i have just done my second 50% WC on my big tank... the tannis seems to be dissappearing with every weekly water change i do, bit of a shame as i quite like the effect it has, but never mind!

The 'oil' on the surface seems to have gone, for now, but i shall follow WD's advice regarding the paper towel trick, cheers WD !

Regards,
Terry.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i saw a film and wondered the same thing, i was hoping it wasnt some chemical in the air that landed on the tank, but it makes sense about the flake food, ill try out the paper towel trick as well!

 

[StandbySetting]

Plants such as Anubias add to it too as they produce a waxy protein which coats their leaves.

 

[waterdrop]

Plants such as Anubias add to it too as they produce a waxy protein which coats their leaves.

Ah, interesting! I have an Anubias and I did not know that! WD