Hi,

my discus planted tank has a layer of oil on the water surface.

May I know how this happens and how to remove it.

I tried with a sheet of towel paper, but the oil is just too much to remove and it comes back after a day.

Any ideas why this happens? Also, I tried with water turbulence, but the layer of oil is simply too much, can't get rid of it with the water turbulence.

Searching around, i guess this is a layre of proteins, but not sure howit comes and how to remove it

I am feeding using tetrabits - granular food. This is a matured tank for 9 months and this oil thingy appeared 1.5 months ago till now.

A few methods off my head:-
1) Surface skimmer if you don't mind extra equipment.
2) Black molly, if you don't mind extra fish.

I use to use (2) but when tank stabilize and I don't overfeed(when I become lazy), usually it goes away.

Regards
cj

it's not the food if you're wondering. It's some lipids that are produced by bacteria metabolising detritus.

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

its not oil but by-product of the photosynthesis. Its harmless and fish loves it.. I have mine in my shrimp tank and I can see shrimps hanging upside down eating it...

However its unsightful so I install another filter with spray bar and the protein is gone

I think that's not it but its plausible.
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/surface-scum.html

Surface scum is primarily composed of water-insoluble organic
compounds (proteins, fats, aromatics, etc) from fish food, and/or from
the decay of plant and animal matter in your aquarium. As the scum is
both water-insoluble and lighter than water, it floats. Secondarily,
other things can colonize the scum (presumably while feeding on it),
such as bacteria, fungi, and, of course, springtails.

It seems to be more than one source food included.

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

just see how they overcome it
http://www.aqugrass.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5489