What's this film on the surface of the water?

fishbone · 11-05-2007, 01:51 PM

Friend of mine asked me to identify this and wasn't able to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcK2J99G9A8

It's a freshwater tank. I almost have the same thing going on in my brackishwater crab tank, but it seems to go away when I change the carbon. Protein? Protein skimmer needed? Isn't that just for saltwater tanks?

I noticed he doesn't have much water aggitation. Could that be the issue?

emc7 · 11-05-2007, 02:16 PM

Oily film on the water's surface is usually from oily fish foods. Fresh carbon and agitation are ways to break it up. You can also "wipe" it with a paper towel. Or skim it with a cup, or siphon the surface when you water change. Protein skimmers are not as effective on freshwater tanks as saltwater tank, but they can be used for this purpose. A little oil on the surface won't hurt anything, but if it continues to build up the oxygen exchange between the water and air is reduced. Oxygen exchange is increased by increasing agitation also.

fishbone · 11-05-2007, 02:28 PM

Makes sense. Trouble is, according to my friend that oily film seems to form even in the jugs he holds water overnight for dechlorination?!? Yes, the jugs are, according to him, clean. Weird.

Obsidian · 11-06-2007, 12:49 AM

Then the next best guess would be it is something in his water source. He can ask for a water report from his local water company, those are quite complete and they are required to comply.

emc7 · 11-06-2007, 03:42 AM

You can buy tap water filters with carbon in them. Might be worth a try. Also brand new buckets, in case his "clean jugs" are the source. If its well water, it could be contaminated and should be tested.

fishbone · 11-06-2007, 09:53 AM

Good to know. But, as a general rule, that film can come from oily foods, then.

emc7 · 11-07-2007, 12:25 AM

Yah, its common in betta tanks because they feed high protein/fat foods and have low current. Oily film can build up in any tank over time as most foods leave some residue. Its one of the best arguments for replacing carbon filter media and for regular, partial water changes. Oily film in tapwater would have me running to the store for bottled water, though.

11-05-2007, 01:51 PM	#1
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 426	What's this film on the surface of the water? Friend of mine asked me to identify this and wasn't able to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcK2J99G9A8 It's a freshwater tank. I almost have the same thing going on in my brackishwater crab tank, but it seems to go away when I change the carbon. Protein? Protein skimmer needed? Isn't that just for saltwater tanks? I noticed he doesn't have much water aggitation. Could that be the issue? __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

11-05-2007, 02:28 PM	#3
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 426	Makes sense. Trouble is, according to my friend that oily film seems to form even in the jugs he holds water overnight for dechlorination?!? Yes, the jugs are, according to him, clean. Weird. __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

11-06-2007, 12:49 AM	#4
Obsidian Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 1,058	Then the next best guess would be it is something in his water source. He can ask for a water report from his local water company, those are quite complete and they are required to comply. __________________ Obsidian 20 gallon 1 Dwarf Gourami; 5 Cherry Barbs; 7 Black Neon Tetras; 3 Peppered Cory's; 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco (Old Blondie) 10 gallon Breaking it down for storage. 5.5 gallon Betta 100 gallon 7 giant danios; 4 Rosy Barbs, 1 German Blue Ram, 7 Julie Cory cats, 2 Burmese Loaches; 4 Zebra Danios

11-06-2007, 09:53 AM	#6
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 426	Good to know. But, as a general rule, that film can come from oily foods, then. __________________ My YouTube aquaria videos

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11-05-2007, 02:16 PM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,621	Oily film on the water's surface is usually from oily fish foods. Fresh carbon and agitation are ways to break it up. You can also "wipe" it with a paper towel. Or skim it with a cup, or siphon the surface when you water change. Protein skimmers are not as effective on freshwater tanks as saltwater tank, but they can be used for this purpose. A little oil on the surface won't hurt anything, but if it continues to build up the oxygen exchange between the water and air is reduced. Oxygen exchange is increased by increasing agitation also.

11-06-2007, 03:42 AM	#5
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,621	You can buy tap water filters with carbon in them. Might be worth a try. Also brand new buckets, in case his "clean jugs" are the source. If its well water, it could be contaminated and should be tested.

11-07-2007, 12:25 AM	#7
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,621	Yah, its common in betta tanks because they feed high protein/fat foods and have low current. Oily film can build up in any tank over time as most foods leave some residue. Its one of the best arguments for replacing carbon filter media and for regular, partial water changes. Oily film in tapwater would have me running to the store for bottled water, though.

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