Oily film cause by excess C02?

**dna9179** · 13th Nov 2009, 01:38

Hi again,

sorry to ask a newbie question here again.

I just redo my tank and i notice that when i push the c02 at 3-5bps, after few hour i can see film on the surface. not sure is it oily but i move the surface of the tank water i can see the film moves around.

Yesterday i did a water change and the film of stuff is gone, till today still fine until i push the C02 back to 3-5bps, i can notice the film start to form again.

May i know what is that? is it normal?

thanks

**boxedfish** · 13th Nov 2009, 01:47

all i know is it;s harmless, and my shrimps love to hang upside down and feed on them

**melc** · 13th Nov 2009, 09:52

Bro,

If I am not wrong, this think layer of "oily film" is produced by your aqua plants. This is a layer of protein which surfaced at the surface of the water.

Correct me if I'm wrong... But i think I read it somewhere in this forum on this issue also. Cheers.

**minute_me** · 13th Nov 2009, 15:57

Did you throw any fish food like pellets inside? This could be one of the causes of oily film.

**windcharm** · 13th Nov 2009, 17:19

These are protein produce by your plants during photosynthesis if not if may be the food that you feed to your fauna.

This "problem" can be easily resolved by having a surface skimmer or/and introduce some like snails like ramhorn. These snails love to float upside down on the protein surface to feed on it.

**An2timun** · 13th Nov 2009, 18:35

Originally Posted by windcharm

These are protein produce by your plants during photosynthesis

this can be true, and the plants bubble will "stick" to it making it look like something not right is happening to the water.

Originally Posted by windcharm

may be the food that you feed to your fauna.

not so, I dont have fish in may tank hence no feeding but still gets this effect

Originally Posted by windcharm

This "problem" can be easily resolved by having a surface skimmer or/and introduce some like snails like ramhorn. These snails love to float upside down on the protein surface to feed on it.

skim the surface during C02 off at night

**dna9179** · 13th Nov 2009, 18:37

currently my tank is new tank, no fish therefore no food inside.

when C02 off, there is no film of that.

when turn on c02 there is.

**Fuzzy** · 13th Nov 2009, 20:24

CO2 shouldn't cause the film.

Have you tried a 50% water change then monitoring to see if this still occurs?

**dna9179** · 13th Nov 2009, 21:18

yes i change the water the layer of film gone.
then i on C02 again, after hour the film came back again.

I was thinking is it due to the diffuser because that time i got soak the diffuser in bleach but i got use dechlorine to clean it again.

Any idea what could be the cause?

thanks

**Blue Whale** · 14th Nov 2009, 18:26

Ok,

Few ways to go by it.
1. Leave it alone.
No harm. Even if it interferes with the feeding.

2. Automatic skimming.
If you have external filter, high chance is that you can use a surface skimmer but you have to becareful with the fins, quite delicate, can break easily if you drop it.

3. Manual skimming.
User a mug, press against the water surface slowly to collect the whatever (you might deal with some leaves also). Should take less than a small pail of water. Thereafter, top up the water after you rinsed the pail. I modified my toilet tap to have regular tap and a spray which I can use the jet spray for cleaning. You can find the double tap at hardware store but you need to know how to fix it or you will get a lot of water leaks which might cost you a big water bill bomb.