oil residue on top of the water

[_]im]

Hi,

I have a 10 gallon tank I've been running for a few weeks now that I got from someone. Now I have the old heater and ornaments from it in the tank. I have put on my own filter (aquaclear mini) and my own plant along with some gravel. My problem is i've noticed a large amount of oil like residue accumulating along the top of the water. I was wondering what this could be from, maybe something I have done? I know when I had the thank set up for the first few days that there was no oily substance, so I'm thinking its my doing. The tank is only 4 months old as well, so its not an old tank dissolving off any grime.

Thanks for any help, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[shrimpster97]

my 10 gallon does the same exact thing. if i look at the water from the bottom i can see it, and when i put food in you can see the oily stuff seperate. i donno know what this is from, i d like to know as well.

 

[_]im]

exact same situation, could someone give any insight?

 

[MrMashashin]

lack of circulation. That resedue you see I believe is stagnant water that isn't pushed under the surface. Get a little bubble stone and the smallest airator you can find. Thats a sure fire way to get rid of it

 

[shrimpster97]

now that i think of it, when i turn my air on the oily stuf goes away, but i dont leave my air on all the time.

 

[_]im]

so is this oil harmful? or is it just whats in the water thats not ciruclated and is harmless? I have mollies and no way of circulating, until i can pick up an airpump, so is it bad for the fish to take this oil in?

thanks

 

[shrimpster97]

i dont think its too bad.

 

[Opcn]

Desolved orgainic compounds, Proteins and lipids mostly with hydrophyllic and hydrophobic regions. AC will cleer it out and its not good for your fish. Its hard on there kidneys and ruins water quality. Feed less add Activated Carbon adn do water changes. Circulation will mask the problem and help slghtly but the best thing for it is new Activated Carbon or a protein skimmer.

 

[Bignose]

Opcn is right, it is a layer of dissolved organics and just parts per million and parts per billions of the stuff fish excrete.

Increasing the frequency of the water changes will help dilute this leftover stuff. If you are worried about water changes too often, you can do them more frequently but of less amount. Though, if you match the temp and pH and hardness of the water you are going to replace, there is really no harm to doing more water changes.

Though, if you dont want to constantly replace the carbon or increase the circulation for a picky fish (I'm looking at you, betta) floating a paper towel on top of the stagnant water for 15-20 secs will absorb a lot of that layer.

 

[_]im]

Thank you for the help. I will try and lower the water level and put the paper towel on until then, I dont think too many of my fish mind the ciruclatoin, and I have no idea what all the chemical litirature really means, but I will try this first then if not activated carbon may be a second option.

Thanks!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi _]im

An oily film on the water can also be caused by oil particles in the air settling on it, or from substances on your hands. Have you ever noticed the film that forms on walls, curtains, windows, etc.? It's caused by normal household activities such as cooking, cigarette smoking, and so on. This will settle on the surface of the water, especially if it is uncovered.

Wash your hands and rinse them thoroughly before working in the tank will also reduce the possibility of outside contamination. Also, be careful not to overfeed your fish.

Oily film can reduce the amount of oxygen entering the water, so it is good to remove it even if that means dragging that paper towel accross it, over and over, until it is mostly gone.