Hikari Crab Crusine produces oil in fish tank?

[Mookie]

Have just fed my shrimps Hikari crab Crusine and the tank surface seems to have oil, any bros experience that?

[Lerai]

Most likely protein film build up. Common signs for matured tanks or newly cycled tank.


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[wongwong]

Sorry to hijack, do we need to remove the oil or just leave it there?

[Y3H]

Carry out a slight water change if you feel uncomfortable with it. Generally oil film will prevent oxygen exchange and if very thick; blocks out light, therefore I always carry out water changes if I do see some oil film build up. Better be safe than sorry!

[Mookie]

Carry out a slight water change if you feel uncomfortable with it. Generally oil film will prevent oxygen exchange and if very thick; blocks out light, therefore I always carry out water changes if I do see some oil film build up. Better be safe than sorry!

I just changed water 2 days ago and after soaking up the oil yesterday with tissue paper, surprise to find it there again today

[Urban Aquaria]

The oil layer is a byproduct of the combination of food, fertilizers, break-down of waste material and also plant photosynthesis (very common in planted tanks). Oil floats on water hence it all accumulates on top.

Water changes will clear it up for a short while, until the oil accumulates again.

Surface agitation helps to break up the oil layer too, from either rainbars/spraybars, airstone/sponge filter bubbles or by raising the lily pipe slightly above the water surface to churn the water.

Planted tanks owners usually prefer minimal surface agitation to retain Co2 in the water, so the oil layer tends to be more noticeable in such tanks.

Surface skimmers are a good option too, they draw in the oil layer and trap must of it in their sponge media (you'll just need to clean it periodically to prevent accumulated oil and debris clogging up the sponges).

You can also try adding fishes like guppies, apparently they eat the oil layer... not sure how effective they are though as i've kept guppies in planted tanks before and still got visible oil layer (maybe only when they are starving then no choice have to eat the oil?).