Clearing the Waters: Tackling Aquarium Oil Build-Up Head-On
Grossed out by a slimy looking oil lingering on the top of your aquarium? Yuck! There’s more you can do than sopping it up with a paper towel. Let’s find the root of the cause and get your waters looking crystal clear.
Identification and Causes
Protein film does not have a single cause or look. It can shimmer like a rainbow, look murky and gray, or even flake off when mixing it.
Biofilm, or protein film, can appear for a variety of reasons. Let’s jump in!
- Your Hands
Chances are you have or will need to put your hands in your aquarium. There’s nothing wrong with this - it’s part of the hobby! Before you dive in to reroot a plant or net a fish, take the proper protocol to limit the chances of spreading oils into your aquarium.
Your hands have small, noticeable pores that secrete oils that will transmit into your aquarium. Your natural oil on top of hand lotions, sanitizers, or other creams makes you an oil goldmine!
To remedy this, simply rinse your hands thoroughly in water prior to working in your aquarium. Stay away from soaps or antibacterials. Water will do the job just as well on its own and doesn’t risk infecting your tank with hazardous chemicals.
2. Fish Food
Believe it or not, something as simple as fish food can be causing your biofilm. After looking into what makes up fish food, however, leaves you thinking “duh”!
Many fish foods contain fat and protein. Any food not consumed will dissolve, float to the surface, and create biofilm.
If you’re not overfeeding your fish, this should not pose much of an issue. If you can’t get around your fish’s diet, don’t worry. Keep on reading!
3. Fish Poop
That’s right, you thought you could get away with biofilm by correctly feeding your fish, and you’d be partially correct! Correctly feeding your fish limits the chance of biofilm forming.
Fish poop is inevitable, and so is the oil that is produced by the fish while it’s created.
4. Dead Fish
While a dead fish is a sad thought, it is important to ensure that all your fishy-friends are well and accounted for on a regular basis.
Dead fish immediately break down and release fats and proteins that will pollute the surface of your water and even emit a gross smell.
5. Equipment
If you can’t find the source of your biofilm, consider giving your aquarium and all of its equipment a nice cleaning. It can’t hurt! Filters and pumps can collect oil and pass it along with water. You should be able to feel the oil on the material prior to cleaning.
6. Location
If your aquarium is located next to an aroma diffuser, a kitchen, or other causes of arid oils, consider moving it to an area with clear air. If you're setting up an aquarium, make sure to place it in an area where you won’t be installing anything nearby that produces oil.
Removing Biofilm
It is best to remove biofilm as soon as you notice it. If biofilm builds up excessively, it can block oxygen from oxygenating your water and creating water flow.
- Manual Removal
If you need to remove your biofilm asap, grab a paper towel and sop all that oil up! Turn off your pumps and wave makers to allow the oil to settle. Then lay a paper towel on top of the water to pick the oil up. This method is purely temporary, so keep reading to find a permanent solution.
2. Water Movement
Water movement is one of the best ways to prevent biofilm from building up. Point your nozzle right below the surface line of the water to create small waves or install a wavemaker or airstone to promote water movement. This is the most common way to break up oils and force them through your filter.
Check your aquarium for dead space, or areas where there’s no movement, if you’re noticing biofilm in a specific area.
3. Skimmers
If you have a freshwater aquarium and need a more hands-on method to remove protein oil, surface skimmers can be a great solution. These skimmers are installed next to the inflow section of your aquarium and collect oil through the top hole. There are a variety of options, such as standard, electric, or more intricate designs.
While protein oil isn’t inherently dangerous, it’s important to address it as soon as it appears. We hope you found the cause of your biofilm and a way to address it!