Surface water

[shalegac]

I have read many ways to clean surface oil from the top[ of water but have yet to find one that works. I have tried newspaper, papertowel, and frequent water changes. I do not over feed (just a few flakes every other day or a quarter cube of formula 1 every 4 days). I have two small percs in my 10 gallon (the problem was there before the fish were added). I would love to get a skimmer that can skim the surface but that is not in a college students budget right now. The tank is a fish only. I tryed a prizim skimer once but it would not fit my tank with the hood. As of now all levels are normal. Any suggestions?

 

[liquid]

So you're getting an 'oil slick' on the surface of your water? Easiest thing I've found to rid that is to point a powerhead up to disturb the surface water somewhat. Have you tried this?

Shane

 

[AngelMaster]

Creating surface movement will resolve it, but will also increase your evaporation rate.

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
Protein skimmer with surface overflow work best. But if you can't get a skimmer, try to scoup the water near the surface when you do water change.

 

[shalegac]

I've pointed the powerhead up before. It broke it up and then came back. Should I just leave the powerhead up? I also have a aquaclear 150 that I am running which breaks up the surface a little. I run carbon 24/7 to keep the water polished and have a sponge that is always prestent (I change it out every 2 weeks along with new carbon).

 

[shalegac]

Should I feed a lower protien diet? I would not only like to solve the problem but find out why it is happening.

 

[Osama]

Try to adjust your circulation so you are permanently sending the surface water to your overflow box ....

 

[shalegac]

Causes?

 

[Osama]

Difficult to say what the oil film is coming from. Most likely source is food &/or addatives. Test each food & supplement by putting in an aquarium cup of water & see if a film develops shortly thereafter. Can feed the stuff to your tank that is not causing the filem since you were using tank water... I know that some fresh fish I use occasionally are oily 7 do leave an oil film.