What's This On My Water?

[kim03333]

hi everyone, i have recently noticed that while my water quality is fine, on the top there is a kind of layer that i can only describe as looking like oil or grease. does anyone know what has caused this?
many thanks from kim

 

[rdd1952]

It probably is come type oil. It could be from something you had on your hands (hand lotion for instance) or could be from your water supply. My water is prone to that. I can leave it standing in a clean bucket for a few days and it will film over. You can try removing it by laying a paper towel or newspaper over it and lifting it off. I never had much luck with that. You can add an airstone. The bubbles breaking the surfaec will keep it broken up. If you are using a HOB filter, you can also lower the water level so that the water splashes back into the tank and breaks it.

 

[england]

yes i was going to say the same thing, about laying newspaper on the waters surface and pulling it across to the opp end of tank but usually try water changes and bubbles or filters breaking the waters surface, try to think about washing of hands and simple things like that when your planning on doing tank maintainence, dont worry about it, easy done

 

[shelaghfishface]

have you fed your fish bloodworm? i often get this film when i do

 

[rdd1952]

Another option if you have a canister filter is a surface skimmer (not to be confused with a protein skimmer in a marine tank). I run them on my 75 gallon tank. They keep the film off of it.

 

[kim03333]

thanks guys, i'm not too worried about it but was just curious as to what it was. shelagh yes i did feed bloodworm but they weren't the live ones (i dont know if that makes a difference?)these are like in some kind of jelly preservative thing, they come in a box from pets at home and there are 16 sachets. the fish seem to enjoy them.

 

[petertr]

I get this all the time - I don't worry about it.

 

[rdd1952]

The only time I can see it being a big issue is if it is indeed something that has gotten in the tank on your hands and could harm the fish.