Author Topic: Oily film on water surface (Read 6533 times) 21 replies

Ally2 · « **on:** July 18, 2016, 10:14:03 PM »

Hi
I sometimes get an oily surface on the water surface . Is this something to be concerned about, is it the food causing it ?
Ally

Matt · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2016, 10:35:08 PM »

Hi Ally,

It can be caused by proteins in fish food yes, and more occasionally detergents or oils on anything you might be putting into the tank (though this should of course be avoided at all costs)

It can limit gaseous exchange and can be broken up with an air stone or more surface agitation from a lower head or by the positioning your filter outlet.

I use an air stone for half an hour after feeding time for this exact reason.

ColinB · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2016, 08:06:42 AM »

I get one too. It's never caused any problems.

Sue · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2016, 09:01:28 AM »

You can either use an airstone/filter outflow to break up the film as Matt suggested or you can attempt to remove it.
Turn the filter off and let the water settle, then lay a paper towel flat on the surface. Pick up one edge of the paper towel and keeping the rest flat on the water draw it towards one edge and lift out. A lot of the oil will be stuck to the towel, the rest will be broken up.
The oily layer will come back though whatever you do.

Cora · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2016, 11:36:34 AM »

I got an oily surface layer on my tank after it was cycled and the fish were added. It didn't cause them any harm, but I was running with high lights and CO2 and dosing ferts. I have no idea if there was any connection - but because I was looking to trap CO2 I had minimal surface agitation.

In the end I added two airstones in either corner and dropped the high-tech stuff and let the stones run most of the time. The oily layer disappeared overnight and never came back. I still don't know what caused it but I assumed it was some settling-in residue.

Ally2 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2016, 07:02:16 PM »

Think the air stone will be too much for my betta ? I'm going to try the paper towel , and do a water change .
I think it's the fish food, as after I cleaned the tank On Sunday and didn't feed pot fish food it was crystal clear . When I gave him some fish food there it was !
Ally

Sue · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2016, 07:53:58 PM »

You'll need to use a paper towel every so often as it will build up again. I find it gets rid of a lot but not all the oily residue, but I may be just clumsy using the paper towel

Don't forget to turn the filter back on. Been there, done that.......

Matt · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2016, 10:57:14 PM »

There a some 'silent' small airstones you can get for nano tanks, they do produce a fair amount of air though in my view. I don't k ow what impact it would have on the pump in the long run were you to run it with a flow restriction valve in the line. That said you would pro a boy only need to run it for a short while after feeding...

Fiona · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2016, 12:06:14 PM »

I'm assuming you're using flaked food @Ally2 ? I found using betta pellets prevented an oily film from forming due I think to the fact that there's never any waste from them and they're eaten immediately, especially if you feed them one at a time.

You can train your betta to take them from your finger (damp finger and 1 pellet at a time) and gradually raise the height of your finger so it jumps up to get them. As you enjoy stroking your betta you might enjoy training it as well

Littlefish · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2016, 12:26:33 PM »

Wow, that sounds awesome.

Fiona · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2016, 12:38:49 PM »

They get the idea pretty quickly and as Ally's is already ok with her fingers it shouldn't take long. Bettas are actually pretty decent jumpers, my Frank could clear 2cm with ease, he was a lovely fish, stroppy as hell with anything else alive in his tank but luverly with me

Littlefish · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2016, 01:15:35 PM »

I'm tempted to have a go with mine. I've got flakes for him at the moment, but next time I go shopping I'll get him some pellets and see if he takes to them.

Fiona · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2016, 01:49:06 PM »

I watched a you tube clip of a woman that trained hers with pellets and a clicker used simultaneously, she trained it to swim through hoops and to flare on command too

fcmf · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2016, 01:49:50 PM »

I've got some New Life Spectrum Small Fish Formula 0.5mm sinking pellets - so much of it that I will never, ever get through it before it expires in 18 mths' time. If anyone would like any of it for bettas or other fish, just PM me your address - I'm happy to post some of it out to you.

@Fiona and others - you might find this useful http://www.r2fishschool.com/, available via UK Amazon.

Fiona · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2016, 02:31:48 PM »

That link was amazing thankee fcmf

Littlefish · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2016, 04:08:01 PM »

Fantastic.

Ally2 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2016, 07:42:59 PM »

You are funny ! I really don't want my moonbeam jumping as he will end up behind the back of the tv unit which I can't move !
My sister sent me a video of a betta jumping through a hoop !
Also when I put his food in he leaps at it like a shark , scares the life out of me so I keep the glass lid on when I feed him now . He's only started doing this since I put the Corey's in so might be a bit of completion.
I wanted to get the pellets and bought another fish food which said for bettas . You couldn't see through the pot , and it turned out to be just smaller crushed food like the one I already had .
What is the name of the betta pellets please? He can't seem to get on with the food I've got as I have to crush the flakes with my nail as its too big for his little mouth 🐟
Ally
Ps I will send you a video of me stroking him at a later date .

Sue · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2016, 08:15:18 PM »

I use Hikari Betta Bio Gold pellets. I would prefer Atisons pellets (now made by Ocean Nutrition) but the smallest pot is 15g which would last for ever - or at least until well after the use by date.

fcmf sent me some betta food she didn't need and although he ate it ravenously at first, he started refusing to eat it. The other fish like it though. It's Dennerle Betta Booster. I think the reason my betta went off it is that it sinks a lot quicker than the Hikari pellets and as he's getting a bit old he can't be bothered chasing it.

Ally2 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2016, 07:51:24 AM »

Hi
I am using flakes , but will get the pellets .
I just do a small water change to rid the tank of it , because I think it builds up every few days . It's not there all the time .
Ally 🐟

Sue · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2016, 08:49:07 AM »

Betta pellets can be a bit hard and it's not uncommon for them to spit the pellets out a few times. I soak them for a couple of minutes before feeding. I put water in two pots (measuring cups from old medication bottles), add the betta pellets to one, the sinking pellets for the 50 litre to the other, then put flake in the 50 litre followed by that pellet, then feed the betta. That length of time softens them up nicely.
I also feed the pellets one by one with a pipette. He waits for each pellet and almost inhales them. He's very lazy and spoiled

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Oily Film On Water Surface

Oily Film On Water Surface

Author Topic: Oily film on water surface (Read 6533 times) 21 replies

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