What's On My Water?

[karawr]

It looks like there is a film of oil on the top of my water. This has randomly showed up a week ago and the tanks been set up for a year now with nothing like this...

75G, Rena XP3 that has:
1 5" Turtle
3 Bala Sharks
2 CAE
2 Khuli Loaches
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

There is an air stone on one side and power bar on the other side so there's plenty of water agitation... and I haven't changed my setup at all, like I said this just came out of nowhere.

Did a 50% w/c... it went down a little but it was still there; next day the water was covered again.

What could it be??

 

[Meggie :)]

can you post a picture of it? what color is it?

I've heard that if you put your hands in the tank when you have lotion on or right after you work with hair products without washing your hands first it can cause things like this. Just make sure you always thoroughly wash your hands and anything else you put into your tank. Maybe try increasing surface agitation. You can also try a surface skimmer or simply take a paper towel and skim it over the top, but I suggest the surface skimmer; it will be more efficient. But before you try this can you post a picture so i can see if it is what i think it is?

 

[StandbySetting]

Increase the surface agitation, it is more than likely the fatty proteins that have come from the food you're feeding them.

 

[karawr]

I think it might be the lotion thing because I did have sunscreen on the other day and may have carelessly put my hand in the tank. I will certainly have to watch that regardless of whether it was the cause of the oil or not...

It's really difficult to photograph... the little whiteish pieces are turtle skin btw. He's shedding.

I guess it could be a protein buildup but why all of a sudden? Hasn't been a problem until recently... but I moved up the power bar closer to the surface so it's rippling the water even more.

 

[england]

Yeah i think its to do with the food, what i found to work well was lay a news paper over the suface then pull it off at one end,

 

[minnnt]

Yeah i think its to do with the food, what i found to work well was lay a news paper over the suface then pull it off at one end,

Thanks, i will remember that tip as i sometimes get this also too.

 

[gillicous]

be carefull when using newspaper the print on it could contaminate ur tank with the oils and chemicals used to make it

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I suffered with this little issue a couple of weeks back and was advised to do one (or all) of 3 things... 1/increase the surface agitation. 2/Do more smaller W/C's. 3/Lay some kitchen roll down on the surface to soak it up.

I believe it was a fatty deposit from one of the flake foods i use, so i raised my filter outlet an inch and it was gone by the next morning.

Hope this helps,
Terry.

 

[Rogue4Fish]

i have the same thing on my turtle tank. its nothing to worry about.