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Oily Surface; on my tank
Topic Started: Aug 22 2007, 09:46 PM (486 Views)
Dylema
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Angelfish
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I have heard people talk about having an oily residue on the water surface but I had never had the problem myself until now. In both my 3' and 2' I have an oily film. Can someone tell me what it is from? and how to get rid of it?

Thanks
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Stuart Elflett
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Angelfish
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Kitchen towel will blot oil off the surface of the water... or you could syphon off the surface for a water change worth...

Here's a reasonable explanation on 'where' slicks can come from:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/problems.../a/oilslick.htm

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sthn75
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Yellow Tang
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Great tip on the article Stuart :thumb :thumb
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MTS: Dare you to stop at ONE!!!

200L Tank.....90L Tank.....60L Tank
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Grunter
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Goldfish
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if u are a running a canister filter we sell surface skimmers that attach and remove the oil slick plus any debre floating on the surface of the water. It might help.
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Dylema
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Angelfish
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Thanks. I think that article explains it quite simply. Maybe I am getting oily and so my hands are making the tank oily lol. I will try the paper towel and maybe get the surface moving by changing the angle of the spray bars.

If all else fails I might try one of the attachments, Thanks.

Dylan
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RAZORFISH
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Past Moderator
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An oily surface can also be caused by dust in the air settling on the surface of your aquarium. Best to get rid of it as soon as you can because it stops most of the useful light getting through to your plants. :thumb
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angelo
Ammonia Cycle
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Is it oily or dusty? What type of type (all in one? or traditional glass)?

If dusty, this can be caused by the surface tension of the water not being broken (especially in all-in-one type tanks). To fix this crank an airstone and you'll fix the problem,

cheers,

angelo
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Aggies Aquarium
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Administrator
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Just another quick tip on all in tanks, if an airstone is used be carefull, where it is placed. If it is too close to the walls of the tank, water can get under the plastic lips then run down behind the plastic covers on the back corners, giving the impression the tank is leaking.

Also do not place the airstones directly under the light fittings, as the extra bubbles will put more condensation behind the covers possibly causing them to rust out quicker :thumb
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Dylema
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Angelfish
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It is traditional glass. I have a venturi air intake on the filter return which I can crank up to an unreasonable level so no need for an airstone. It is oily not dusty but thatnks for the tip. It seems to be getting better anyway.
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angelo
Ammonia Cycle
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Aggies Aquarium
Aug 28 2007, 12:16 PM
Just another quick tip on all in tanks, if an airstone is used be carefull, where it is placed. If it is too close to the walls of the tank, water can get under the plastic lips then run down behind the plastic covers on the back corners, giving the impression the tank is leaking.

Also do not place the airstones directly under the light fittings, as the extra bubbles will put more condensation behind the covers possibly causing them to rust out quicker :thumb

all very true! especially with marine tanks! you get salt marks everywhere ( i learnt the hard way) :oops
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