'oily' surface

oily surface normal, just try to use a scoop to "skimm" the surface during water changes.

About using Newpaper to absorb, IMO is a "no no " you do not know what chemicals is in the newspaper

[jerome9731]

how about those kitchen tissue?those long roll...look like super absorbent to me

So what exactly is causing the oily surface, and is that surface deadly if not skimmed? I mean, I can't be skimming the surface everyday. What if I take a week off on a vacation?

its only unsightly. doesnt cause any problems to ur livestock.

would it be something like vegetable oil release from plants?

If I'm not wrong, they are the protein from the plants.

You can use rainbar or hang-on filter to "push" the "oil" into the water. Anyway, they are not harmful to your tank.

Use a surface skimmer. It will do the trick. I have this problem sometime back but after installing surface skimmer, the oily firm is no longer there.

[jerome9731]

Originally Posted by kwonghui

Use a surface skimmer. It will do the trick. I have this problem sometime back but after installing surface skimmer, the oily firm is no longer there.

as say i refering to my crs tank...cant use a surface skimmer.

btw,if look from under the water up to the surface, does the water beside look 'oily' , also have this abit white and transparent 'dirt' floating together with the 'oily' surface?

Ya. Thats the oil layer. just scoop it out if u dun like to see it. But 3 days later u'll see the same thing. haha. so no choice lah. got to be hardworking abit if u dun wana install a surface skimmer.

I only noticed this in the tank where I don't have a filter. I wonder how thick the layer of oil can get if I totally ignore it? Will my fishes eventuall suffocate?