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Thread: Oily film on the surface of the water

  1. #1
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    Oily film on the surface of the water

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    Hi folks,

    I try not to touch my tank every week but I've not much choice as I notice there is this oily film on the surface of the water and trapping bubbles from the plants. I'm afraid air-water exchange is affected as well. Thus I've to scoop the water out (as if scooping chilli oil from curry) every now and then.

    Any idea where that came from ? Fish food ? I'm using Guppy brand fine granules fish food for my Tetras.

    I thought of getting a surface skimmer but the one I saw which costs $20+ is too large for my 2 ft tank which already has a UP CO2 reactor.

    Thanks.

    Cheers,
    Peter

  2. #2
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    used a skimmer, it is attach to ur external filter(water going in valve)

    but if u r doing small tanks.. this might not work then skimmer is roughly 28cm long

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    try mollies or platy, heard they eat them
    fyi, skimmer can be used in a 2ft

  4. #4
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    advise u to use a skimmer and use plants to cover them, i got 2 skimmers in one 3ft tank and yes they are covered =)
    Cheers!

    Benetay

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    Hi peterkoh, getting rid of oil film is easy. Just get a tissue and lay it lightly on the water surface. Once the tissue is wet, take it up and throw away.

  6. #6
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    I've seen many 2 footers installed with a skimmer. Not dat bad as you think. The film is quite harmless and it caonnot be avoided.

    I did not have this problem with my guppy tank. As suggested by Simon, these fishes (guppy and platies/mollies) do eat them up. You can give it a try, but bear in mind that they prefer hard and slightly alkalic water.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

  7. #7
    i have the same prob too and was thinking of getting a skimmer but i am worried that it will cause too much water surface movement and too much aertion and hence drop in co2 level in my tank.

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    I see my otos eating the surface film before. But after I added skimmer, the film is gone
    "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled" - Richard Feynman, 1986. Rogers commission into the Challenger disaster

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    ----------------
    On 1/28/2002 9:32:21 AM

    i have the same prob too and was thinking of getting a skimmer but i am worried that it will cause too much water surface movement and too much aertion and hence drop in co2 level in my tank.
    ----------------
    ----------------
    On 1/28/2002 9:32:21 AM

    i have the same prob too and was thinking of getting a skimmer but i am worried that it will cause too much water surface movement and too much aertion and hence drop in co2 level in my tank.
    ----------------
    ----------------
    On 1/28/2002 9:32:21 AM

    i have the same prob too and was thinking of getting a skimmer but i am worried that it will cause too much water surface movement and too much aertion and hence drop in co2 level in my tank.
    ----------------

    The skimmer would not cause much/any water agitation. So I shouldn't worry to much in your case.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

  10. #10
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    Hi,
    I had tadpoles(fr common greenback frog) in my tank that eats surface film. Its usually gone overnite after I put in a few of them.

    I can offer some if anyone interested.

  11. #11
    sherchoo: really? ok shall try it soon! must find out how to rig to my overhead filter intake tho.

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    i have the same problem too... i thought the oil helps with the diffusion if co2 as the co2 bubbles get trapped under it... but so does the O2 bubbles...

  13. #13
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    Connecting a skimmer to a overhead filter would be quite tricky. Most of the time a skimmer is used incorporated with a external filter.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

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    maximus..how big are ur tadpoles?? i'm interested in getting them from u.. will they grow big fast?

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    Hi avant,
    they r quite small and a bit transparent, can last for 2mths or more, max size about 1.8cm. The downside is that they are a bit weird looking if u dont mind.

  16. #16
    i checked it out at c328, the skimmer cost $22. a bit ex to just clear the oily film to me. can buy an entire overhead filter with $22. so i think i will live with the oil film, heh...

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    use what wks recommended... using tissue to absorb the protein film

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    weird looking? haa..should be fine with me..
    how do i get them from u?

  19. #19
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    hi avant, I can pass to u at tiong bahru mrt. Email me at [email protected] to arrange for collection.

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    tiong bahru mrt? perfect haa..i stay at outram.
    give me an sms at 96176091..maybe we can fix a time this sat or sun.

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