Why is there a layer of oil on the surface of the water???

[newlife]

Hey guys,

I notice that there is always like a layer of oil on the surface of the water in my tank...why does it happen? Anyone experience the same problem??? Is it harmful to my shrimps???

Currently, my tank is with plenty of Moss tied on Driftwood, at least 30 pieces of CRS + BDS. Using mixed ADA and Gex soil, Ehiem Pro Calister Filter. Any items in my tank cause this problem???

I can't use surface skimmer cause i'm afraid that it might suck in my Shrimplets. Any other ways that I could do???

[eviltrain]

its due to the protein food you feed your shrimps. just place the rainbar above the water level and let the water agitate the surface.

[Shadow]

I believe there are 2 different cause. If the surface oil is breakable the it is very likely due to iron bacteria. Check the picture in the second link, it will tell you what I mean by breakable

1st cause: Plant not healthy, ejection of lipids and organic waste become uncontrolled. Lipids are basic building of fats thus result oily film.
http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php...tart=10#p25242

2nd cause: Iron bacteria. You can read the detail from below link. It is in German so use Google translate to translate it
http://www.aquamax.de/HG27UG02.htm.

[seeto]

There's a quick way to remove the oil from the water surface. Just take a piece of kitchen towel and place over the water surface and absorb the oil. This is similar to absorbing the oil spill... :P It works really good. Some ppl will be concerned that the acid from the bleaching of the paper will get into the water. But I've done that quite often and there is no effect, as long as you do it really quick... One quick swipe and take out. Quick, cheap and easy!

[blue33]

You are not curing the roots, it will come back again and again.

[Xmant]

There's a quick way to remove the oil from the water surface. Just take a piece of kitchen towel and place over the water surface and absorb the oil. This is similar to absorbing the oil spill... :P It works really good. Some ppl will be concerned that the acid from the bleaching of the paper will get into the water. But I've done that quite often and there is no effect, as long as you do it really quick... One quick swipe and take out. Quick, cheap and easy!

Aiyo, so troublesome. Air bubble it will solve all the problem. No more nightmare.

[newlife]

I believe there are 2 different cause. If the surface oil is breakable the it is very likely due to iron bacteria. Check the picture in the second link, it will tell you what I mean by breakable

1st cause: Plant not healthy, ejection of lipids and organic waste become uncontrolled. Lipids are basic building of fats thus result oily film.
http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php...tart=10#p25242

2nd cause: Iron bacteria. You can read the detail from below link. It is in German so use Google translate to translate it
http://www.aquamax.de/HG27UG02.htm.

Hi Shadow, thanks for providing me with the website...really useful information. This 2 link is really enlightened me...

[newlife]

There's a quick way to remove the oil from the water surface. Just take a piece of kitchen towel and place over the water surface and absorb the oil. This is similar to absorbing the oil spill... :P It works really good. Some ppl will be concerned that the acid from the bleaching of the paper will get into the water. But I've done that quite often and there is no effect, as long as you do it really quick... One quick swipe and take out. Quick, cheap and easy!

bro seeto, what bro Adrain says is right... This doesn't solve the problem totally. Anyway, thanks for the help ya...

[newlife]

Aiyo, so troublesome. Air bubble it will solve all the problem. No more nightmare.

Hi bro Xmant, thanks ya...this is what most of my friends told me. Today went over to bro Nasty12 place and he told me the same things too.

[insider]

Well another way is to not feed too much.

[newlife]

Ya...have done a test on the mosura stick on a tau huay container.... saw a layer of oil on the surface.

[blue33]

Infact i've mentioned this quiet sometime ago that this is caused by the plant release to the water column due to hungry or not healthy, not only plant, moss also. At that time still nobody believe it is release by the plant most time.

You can do a simple experiment. Place a moss on a tub with water and lighting on as per normal without CO2 and ferts, in a few day time it will have oily film on the water surface, why few day is because moss release slower than plant.

[Jimmy]

Infact i've mentioned this quiet sometime ago that this is caused by the plant release to the water column due to hungry or not healthy, not only plant, moss also. At that time still nobody believe it is release by the plant most time.

You can do a simple experiment. Place a moss on a tub with water and lighting on as per normal without CO2 and ferts, in a few day time it will have oily film on the water surface, why few day is because moss release slower than plant.

so pump in more CO2 to feed its hunger? hehe

[blue33]

When you feed CO2 you need to feed ferts also. Lighting/CO2/ferts work hand in hand.

[Jimmy]

When you feed CO2 you need to feed ferts also. Lighting/CO2/ferts work hand in hand.

Noted, master!

[blue33]

if all the above doesnt work, then you might want to work on your circulation and your filtration also.

[blue33]

i aint no Master, i'm also a learner like your also.

Noted, master!