oily film on water surface, how to remove?

**Jimmy** · 1st Sep 2009, 13:51

Originally Posted by herns

The tube size on this toy is 5/8". How do you fit Eheim tubing 12/16MM?

i'm using non-eheim filter which is using 16/20MM hose, so no issue. Maybe you want to get those connector that stepdown 16/20mm to 12/16mm? alternatively look for those skimmer that fits 12/16mm hose.

**dhomosapien** · 1st Sep 2009, 16:59

Originally Posted by herns

FIsh food is protein rich which one of the major cause of surface film. Cut down your feeding regime.

Your lighting will pose a problem if the surface build up is not addressed.

I have a planted tank and a non-planted tank. Very little feeding for the planted and alot for the non-planted. The layer only ever builds up in the planted tank, so I don't think the oil is the result of over feeding.

**boxedfish** · 1st Sep 2009, 17:15

the oily surface appears for a few days in my tank, then disappear completely thereafter. Come to think of it, first time it happens, is when my tank is newly set up and planted. second time happened rite after i change from HOF to cannister filter. Maybe it's caused by bacteria imbalance?

**herns** · 2nd Sep 2009, 11:11

Originally Posted by dhomosapien

I have a planted tank and a non-planted tank. Very little feeding for the planted and alot for the non-planted. The layer only ever builds up in the planted tank, so I don't think the oil is the result of over feeding.

ALgae disc is one that cause surface film.

**dhomosapien** · 2nd Sep 2009, 15:51

Originally Posted by herns

ALgae disc is one that cause surface film.

Ohh I see. I have never used those, but my layer is pretty thick still.

**torque6** · 2nd Sep 2009, 21:29

I just use a small HOF to provide a little surface agitation.

**minute_me** · 4th Sep 2009, 13:03

Originally Posted by dhomosapien

I have a planted tank and a non-planted tank. Very little feeding for the planted and alot for the non-planted. The layer only ever builds up in the planted tank, so I don't think the oil is the result of over feeding.

the oily film can be caused by fish food.

I have a plastic breeder exclosure in one of my 1 ft tank which i separate my betta from the other fish. i noticed that the water surface in the enclosure has an oily film while water outside has no oily film.

Water inside the enclosure has not much circulation and movement. water agitation and movement outside the enclosure is provided by the HOF.

My conclusion is by simply using an airstone, the oily film (if not too thick) can be broken up the bubbles from the airstone. water agitation on the surface provided by filter can also break up the film.

**herns** · 7th Sep 2009, 05:43

Originally Posted by Jimmy

in case you not sure how it looks like:

After much of research, I finally bought this.
AT first I dont like the size because its too obtrusive for smaller tanks. But when finally run it, this product is really good in dealing nasty surface films.

My water is crystal clear now without worries of oily film coming back.

Originally Posted by Jimmy

i'm using non-eheim filter which is using 16/20MM hose, so no issue. Maybe you want to get those connector that stepdown 16/20mm to 12/16mm? alternatively look for those skimmer that fits 12/16mm hose.

I finally bought one and it comes with a 12/16mm elbow adapter. So it fits.

**Foxtrotperv** · 14th Sep 2009, 15:48

Try putting in some surface fish like mollies or guppies.
The oil is suppose to be a temporary thing unles there's something wrong with your water parameters.

**jt1** · 14th Sep 2009, 22:27

Mollies and guppies would help but may not do justice to plants, because they may eat the plants. For planted tanks, the oily surface is common and it is not uncommon to use a surface skimmer as above.