Oily water surface

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

Hi guys,

My tank is about 1/2 yr old...

Recently i noticed a significant layer of oil on my water surface.

In the past there wasn't any or rather it's not obvious @ all.

The onli possible reason i can think of is due to the re-positioning of my corals a few days back where i placed a hammer coral rather close to the water surface. Could this be the reason for the oily surface.

[roidan]

usually there shouldnt be any oily surface as your tank should be turbulent enough to get rid of the surface oil especially if you have an overflow system

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

As in increased water circulation shd get rid of oil acculmulating?

I'm not using an overflow system or any other kind.

I'm onli having DSB with skimmer... So what are the sources of these oils? Thks for the reply...

[nemesis]

maybe from the pump? some cheapo pumps resulted in this problem.

[roidan]

As in increased water circulation shd get rid of oil acculmulating?

I'm not using an overflow system or any other kind.

I'm onli having DSB with skimmer... So what are the sources of these oils? Thks for the reply...

increase in water circulation esp at the surface will help break up the oil into smaller oil molecules and allow more oxygen infusion....

what is your main filtration method? no canister filter also?

just the skimmer and DSB ah...then quite hard to get rid of the oil...

if using canister can at least put a surface skimmer....

best is still overflow compartment or overflow box for marine tanks...

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

Ya...no other filter.

Had a hang-on filter but removed it as it is a possible nitrate source for me...

Actualli my surface circulation is quite strong. Can see big ripple forming leh on the surface....

But where the oil come from anyway?

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

maybe from the pump? some cheapo pumps resulted in this problem.

I sure hope it's not from my pump...but any other reefers have this problem of excessive oil too?

[nemesis]

I sure hope it's not from my pump...but any other reefers have this problem of excessive oil too?

i also used to have this prob and the oil is from the pump. but this may not be your case lah.

[[P]owder Blue]

can be from the food you feed them too... IMO better to have at least a surface skimmer. It can be connected to the overhanging filter too - have seen some people doing it instead of connecting to canister filter.

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

pardon me...

What's a surface skimmer?

[[P]owder Blue]

An equipment used commonly to draw intake from the water surface thru the aid of a filter. More for FW... If you do not have an overflow - this will be the next best thing to go for.

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

can get the surface skimmer from any Lfs?

Will it be very harmful for my LS if the oil is not rid off?

ANd just wondering where else can the oil come from beside faulty pump...

[blacknails]

Hey but your surface skimmer needs to be attached to another filter.. canister, for e.g.

I believe most aquarists who do not have a surface skimmer or overflow system will ultimately face this problem... (regardless of how much surface irrigation trust me) I dun think its oil... Some kinda algae or cynobac perhaps but it's a lil smelly right?

I not sure how it can harm your LS but it sure blocks out alot of light and is smelly and unsightly... If you can't get a surface skimmer anytime soon then use newspaper to 'sweep' the surface of the water... It'll absorb some of the stuff but not enuf... Worse come to worse do water change... Should take care of the problem temporarily...

But do get a surface skimmer lah... I got one and never regretted... Maximum irrigation and light penetration!!

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

I'll see how things goes...Perhaps getting a surface skimmer.

anyone has a pix of a surface skimmer attached to a hang-on filter to show...WIll appreciate if there're any.Thks...

[alanseah]

just go to any marine shop and ask for the surface skimmer and u will know how it look like..

[hippo]

You may need a canister so as to connect it to the surface skimmer.

Hence, you need both.

[Dazza]

u sure its oil. It cud be just a layer of dirtlike stuff floating ard. Sometimes when i chg water n some ofthe rocks at the top layer gets exposed to air, such a firm happen once the water is topped back up. I usually use air pump to just aerate it for a couple of hrs n it clears up.

[mAriNe_enthusiast]

u sure its oil. It cud be just a layer of dirtlike stuff floating ard.

Quite positive it's oil...

Are there ways to reduce this oil? I dun face this problem in the past until last week when i noticed it.

This morning, i manually scooped out some of the surface oil and it reduced quite a bit...So if no choice, i'll have to do this every now and then and be a maintenace SOP...