Oily Film

[Ashers]

Hi. I was just wondering what this is in my tank water. when I look up at the surface of the water I can see what looks like an oily film on the surface. If I skim the surface and get rid of it all then it will be back in a day. help!
Ash

 

[gunman]

I am by no means an expert, but I was told an oily film is a sign of ammonia in your water. Have you done a test?

 

[kiriyama]

Sometimes it can be caused residue from the fish food, just a thought

 

[ian]

they can be caused by a few things, high protien foods can cause this. I have also read about hi organic levels, poor circulation and low CO2 levels causing this. Paper kitchen towels can remove it, also upping flow, large water changes and cleaning the filter to increase flow.

 

[Ashers]

sorry guys forgot to mention there is no fish in there as I am about to start either a fish in cycle or a fishless cycle if I ever find ammonia.

 

[Carlovel1]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I also have this but I don't have ammonia. What could it be?

 

[ian]

high nitrate/phosphates and as i have written above. If not caused by high protien foods.

 

[crazychris]

I have this on my 2ft tetra tank but none on my 3ft or 4ft tanks. If I skim it off it's back the next day too.

 

[Carlovel1]

high nitrate/phosphates and as i have written above. If not caused by high protien foods.

My Nitrates are quite low so its probably high protein foods. Thanks for clearing up that issue Ian

 

[Ashers]

so where does that leave me then? Im not putting in food and my nitrates are low. So must it be phosphates?

 

[the biffster]

if you agitate the surface
of the water with the return from
your filter so that its just breaking the
surface this should sort the problem out
i think its protein in the water