How to Stop Oil Films On top of Aquariums

Aquarium Oil films are relatively easy to remove or minimize. They are caused by a number of reasons. Over feeding can cause excess oil to come out of the food or out of the fish! Some oil will always come from fish however and another reason could be that your aquarium is over stocked. A good way to minimize oily buildup on your aquarium surface is to do regular weekly water changes. Another method is to have a power head or your filter near the surface of your aquarium water so that it disrupts and breaks up the oil.
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[@suenichols8456]

Just wanted to say thank you for this video! Was using a paper towel but the oil kept returning. Popped in a bubbler, waited a couple of hours and the aquarium is crystal clear!

[@jessicalee6026]

It does not necessarily come from food and fish. My tank with no fish, and therefor no fish food, has a ton of surface oil.

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

Jessica Lee this is correct.. most of it will be a build up after time from sticking your hand in the water. Even if you have an open top tank simple dust and skin cells will do this as well. It can also be caused from buying improper foam types when making your own sponge filters.. a lot of denser medium and fine commercially sold foams that people use are petroleum based foams and have lots of residue in them still. Even washing them doesn’t work. Will just need to monitor and use a paper towel to soak up collection points.. anything that touches the water surface will create a collection point..

[@tialey1]

just read this and saw you tried paper towel too

[@Littlewings1211]

Thank you for this comment - I am in the process of setting up a Betta tank and currently have no fish or anything in the tank (just gravel and ornaments which I washed before using and a few live plants) so I was really confused as to why I have a really thick oil slick on the top. I will try shifting the filter up to agitate the surface and will do a water change too. Hopefully this will get rid of it. Thanks again!

[@shaneferdz82]

I noticed a layer at the surface of my aquarium and was pretty sure it was due to a newly added lava rock in the aquarium. I cleaned my aquarium and the surface oil and took out the rock and it was fine while the rock was removed. The moment i added the rock back, i saw oil at the surface again. While i removed the rock for 2 days and kept it soaking in boiling hot water but didn't help.

[@K-jammin-E]

It's because of your hand, even you don't have fish and food, if you put your hand in to your fish tank, the oil that was just on your hand gets in fish tank

[@Mrniceguy2209]

This is usually from high nutrient substrates which is why its usually in planted tanks. Best way to avoid is to put sand over your substrate and cover THAT with gravel, locking the nutrients in. Took me 3 nano tanks to figure this out!

[@Lucy-xr7yi]

Hmm. even with a half of inch of sand covering my fluval stratum i still have this problem.

[@potato-pz6tu]

Oh thanks for this comment

[@Mrniceguy2209]

@@Lucy-xr7yi Yeah it's hard to avoid whatever you do but if you skim the water surface a few dozen times eventually it will fade, assuming you don't disturb the substrate.

[@quagmire5765]

I have enough oil in my aquarium to do an oil change on my car is that bad?

[@SGScaper]

Great tip! I had the same problem with my planted tank and like you said regular water changes removed it.

[@frankbonnici3610]

I get this surface film badly in my 5 foot, even though I have an FX5 creating surface movement its still not enough. So I bought an Eheim Skim which works brilliant and even aerates the water. Good Video, Subscribed.

[@thaidefensivetraining]

Thanks to your video man learn something new everyday 🙏🏻

[@LeeOCGaming]

thanks alot mate i was really worried about this oil. you've calmed me down a bit ha

[@EverydayAquarist]

No problem, maybe check out the video I'm just uploading now, should help you out also

[@tomaszostalowski7029]

Just put kitchen paper towel on surface for one moment and pick with all mess straight to bin. :) Silly surface proteins be Gone ! Than just keep good surface agitation and you done.

[@MrRussianGerman]

Wow. I literally just followed ur instruction and its gone....luckily my 3 gallon mr aqua bowfront of just the size of a half sheet.

[@the6ix665]

Shit that does work nice!

[@ArubaCoconutify]

Tomasz Ostalowski my damn paper towels have pictures on them, will that be bad for the water?

[@the6ix665]

Laurel Wheaton lol no it’s all food safe so it won’t be a problem for your fish

[@Daywalker_27]

Tomasz Ostalowski That worked like a f'ing charm! Thanks

[@roberthull959]

Thank you so much! I got worried when this happened. I took my bubbler out, and added a new fish. I know now its from the water not breaking it up and not the new fish destroying my tank.

[@Twisted86]

Funny thing is I didn't do a water change for over 18 months and had no problems (zero dead fish, full circle with exterior plants removing nitrites), finally got sick of hearing my girlfriend complain about my tank and have done water changes the past 2-3 months and now I have a massive problem with this with the same fish stock I had before, the same planted setup, and with the same water flow as before. I knew better than to buckle down :/

[@BigYi313]

thanks for sharing, very useful tip.

[@danielpotyok7446]

Thanks a lot. Great video.

[@caranthirn7400]

It is most commonly seen in betta tanks because of bettas need slow flow. Slow flow means oily surface.

[@russaification]

Just use a surface skimmer and you'll never worry about it again. Fluval sells one that connects to any hang on back filter.

[@SmokeystarOriginal]

This used to not happen with my Betta fish. The only thing that's changed is I moved him from my dorm to my dad's. Same tank, same food, I make sure to feed him one pellet at a time so none goes back into the tank. My dad's had a terrible problem about this although I get that his tank doesn't have a filter and he keeps his in a 2 gal glass bowl whereas I keep mine in a proper 3 gal tank with a good filter, a large silk plant for him to hide in, and a mossball to absorb waste, as well as about an inch and a half of aquarium gravel at the bottom. Idk what it is about my dad's place but dust and on the tanks oil just gather nonstop

[@ardithmartijn6260]

It worked, siphoned the surface and added fresh water. No more oil. Thank you from the bottom of my

[@ardithmartijn6260]

Heart

[@jakemiller3026]

I have a single baby betta in a 10 gallon and I’ve got a lot of oil. I have a quite flow filter and I think that may be causing it because the surface of the water is almost completely still

[@bettamom7593]

I have 1 beta in a 2.5 gal tank. He gets 1 pellet 2X's daily... I have to pull water from my tank at least every other day because of the oil and for the food to touch the water! I just did a water change yesterday to wake up this morning with a thick slick on top!!! I have 1 plant and a beta buddy. a small pump that moves the surface gently... Why do I have so much oil?

[@girishpatil9562]

very good

[@ChestersonJack]

I’m not sure if the stuff on the surface of my tank is oil. It’s filmy, and can bunch up like a thin sheet

[@spiritinflux]

It’s dust also. I’m not a dust expert but this probably has its own contaminates and it collects on open top tanks. I’d deduced it was probably bacterial blooms also due to slow surface movement. I say this because I notice an increase when I add filtration bacteria to break it (and any waste) down.

[@bricore1535]

Ive been having a problem with my fish looking oily instead of the water 😓?

[@retaliationeffort2864]

I just set up a 1 gal bioactive aquarium. No filter. I plan on putting shrimp in it but for now it is cycling. I just noticed that it has this oil on top from, what I can guess, some of the plants breaking down.

[@wesleyvereen1550]

I have no fish but oil is it my gravel

[@alyssa_shalyssa9849]

I have recognized this on all the tanks with my bettas and I've always wondered what it was

[@beccaberglie101]

pixellover 2000 I have only seen it with my bettas. Weird.

[@clarasund4047]

all my betta tanks have had this problem and I think part of the issue is that betta tanks tend to have low flow i.e. little surface movement so the oil can build up easily

[@lohangotos8156]

Hiii. Im new to betta keeping and yes this appeared to. I freaked out. Hahahaha. What to do? Is it normal? I just remove it because I think it would block my betta's way to breathe up air on the surface.

[@abedbarjous5390]

@@lohangotos8156 i see you are not new anymore but i am so have you got any answers?

[@lohangotos8156]

@@abedbarjous5390 hey there bud. I basically waterchanged to make it not happen again

[@miniolympics]

My betta fry tank keeps developing an oil film which ends up killing all my dry. Right now I have a batch 3 days old and there is already an oil film on top. The betta fry are one of the most tiniest fry and it would be really hard to use a paper towel to get the oil off cause I’ll lost likely scoop up fry. An air stone will kill the fragile fry at this age. I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to lose another batch.

[@cinezmartinez4949]

I have a 2.5 gallon tank I used for a Betta that kept a fish alive 2yrs. At a time. This time however I started with 2 Neons, 2 Mystery Snails, 2 plants and added Betta after 10 days. All was great till my 1st 1/3 water change. Cloudy Water and now Oil Skim on top of water. It takes 2 sheets of computer paper torn in four to lay on top of water and lift fat off the top and clear. It works like a charm. Tank is in harmony after 5 days. Crystal clear water again.

[@scarletjelly4439]

i have white powder on the surface too... someone please tell me how to remove that.

[@elanaf2568]

this video is ages old but! i have a new betta and tank with this problem. i only got to cycle the tank for a day and there arent any plants yet (he was a surprise unfortunately, but i didnt want to leave him in a cup for a week while his other tank cycles). the filter i use creates a little flow, but the film congregates where that flow meets the water instead of being broken up. my fish is very curious and has been biting/eating it which i dont love. anything i can do for the stubborn gunk and is it harmful if he eats it?

[@baobabt8722]

Tried this and had Petroleum jelly floating around at the top of my tank. I dont know what to do?

[@talyayoung7001]

I don’t know if anyone will see this but I’m considered. I’ll clean my Betta fish’s tank and maybe 1 day later there will be oil film. Is this the same thing? I don’t over feed either. I’m concerned that it’s hurting my fish

[@andypatt1971]

I had not had fish for 3 years sheep my tank again and they is oil on the surface

[@angeluqu5925]

I have that also white specks floating on top of aquarium do u guys know what it can be?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Dust?

[@morganamomo]

see I would increase the water flow but my only fish in the tank is a betta, which can't deal with a strong flow. Guess I'll just be soaking the oil up with paper towels 😓

[@lisajarvis3820]

Never had this in my tank

[@quantumaquatic1767]

I just use a ehim surface skimmer haha.

[@lukegrice2548]

any answers?

[@rappidgamer142]

Ok good to know it’s not very harmful for the fish I was so worried that it is bad for the fish and I am going to try the paper towel trick I only have a 3.5 gallon soon to be 10 gallon EDIT: The paper towel trick worked like a charm

[@baileyng8158]

no answer provided

[@Mucho-Taco]

I added a top portion of a 2L bottle just below the waterline so it collects the film off the top

[@lisasaxon7828]

Can u explain what u mean, cheers

[@sandraragole2679]

👌🐟🌊🤭. One BETTA ea. Tank.. 3 gal & 5 gal. ❓ With oil matter, is it ok if I change 25per cent DAILY. 10/2021

[@meek_meek1942]

That's why my big tank is perfectly clear. And why my 20gal (small tank) is oily.

[@MlNDSETIPS]

I’ve got this in my tank that has no fish yet

[@Terry-hw1ws]

What if I don't have any pet there yet?

[@stephenfairbanks8434]

Ok so what do I do?

[@nanamondkar2362]

Hang on filter would also work to remove oil.

[@Iuis_hD]

I pretty much turned off the bubbler for a bit and i saw a bunch of oil

[@blackwarb]

I have a Juwel Rio filter. It's glued in as part of the design. They are fucking terrible. Weak flow and only cleans half of the 4 foot tank. This oil has become an issue now.

[@Skyrilla]

But I have no fish...

[@kayalauren2971]

is it harmful to the fish? i dont have a filter because my beta would get stuck to it, but i do have my beta in a 5 gallon tank by himself with minimal decorations

[@EverydayAquarist]

+kaya lauren Yes every aquarium needs a filter

[@kayalauren2971]

i had one in with the beta but he kept getting stuck to the bottom of the filter

[@pershop4950]

Look into sponge filters or a sponge pre-filter for your HOB filter. You can also have some kind of bubbling device (including just a simple air stone) that will help break up the surface and that will help remove the film of stuff in the beta tank too.

[@pipocatheunicorn3554]

Per Shop air stones are way too strong for bettas. Most will need to work very hard to keep still and swim properly.

[@pipocatheunicorn3554]

Per Shop air stones are way too strong for bettas. Most will need to work very hard to keep still and swim properly.

[@christiaanbeyers2790]

This saved me because my other hobbie include motorcycle riding and I thought I srill had some motor oil on me when I scaped my tank and it got in to the water 😮

[@WatchmyPlaylist.]

I have a 55 gal tank with 1 freaking fish and it comes back every 24 hrs like clock work. I've been siphoning the surface every day for months now. Ready to pitch the whole thing

[@alonsogarcia526]

Air stones will help, but I don’t like air stones in my tank

[@herobrineslayer1585]

It’s from the food or the fish... I have a 5.5 gallon tank with one betta. Not overstocked at al and I give him 4 pellets that he eats once a day so it’s not from the food either. It’s from a lack of flow but you can have a lot of flow in a betta tank so this video doesn’t help at all you just explained the obvious which it to let your filter flow get rid of it

[@patriknovak9551]

I have one freakin betta in 30 liter tank and i have tone of oil all the time :D

[@katalepsis74]

Same here, thinking it was the plastic plant or plastic thermometer (both made in China so manufacturing concerns are valid). Something to consider.

[@patriknovak9551]

Tom Pierce Now since I've added cherry shrimp the water looks amazing 😀 I have no surface oil at all 😀

[@sandroaces]

Yeah just put paper towel on top for 10 seconds a gone

[@bdauphinee81]

Fast forward to 2:30

[@Facts_Are_Facts_Are_Facts]

Oil will never sink in water.

[@yiqi410]

Is this harmful to your fish?

[@laurastockwell6398]

Not really:)

[@yiqi410]

@@laurastockwell6398 Thank you♥️

[@laurastockwell6398]

😊

[@fish2468]

OYFUM

[@zk6954]

ok? and this video did nothing to help on how to permanently get rid of it.

[@tialey1]

Who knew that taking paper towels and laying it on top of the surface to soak up the oil it works 😊

[@andrewmcdonald5613]

My fish started to eat it 😂

[@pickledonionenjoyer]

Super sad looking jungle val there :(

[@ngocly8943]

This is bs

[@kingarnab6600]

You talk too much but nothing helpful