Substance on water surface?

[MizTanks]

There's an oily looking substance on the surface water of my cycling 26g. I've been using SeaChem's Stability as part of the cycling. I'm also seening a small build-up of foam bubbles. Is it this that I'm seeing? If so, need I be concerned about it? I've added extra flow to the surface via a Korilia 250, yet the film still remains.

[Heidi]

Want my "pre skimmer" box? I don't use it now that I have the different pump so maybe that will help, idk . . .let me know I can send it up there!
Heidi

[MizTanks]

How does it work?

[Sir Patrick]

The oily substance is, I beleive, proteins and other waste. Most likely building up from the polution caused by the cycle your tank is going through and the dead organics in the dry rock cycling in your tank. The bubbles are a sighn of a heavy build up of these broken down organics.

With water changes and carbon, this will eventually go away. A surface skimmer could help very much. A protein skimmer is the best option against the oily look at the waters surface.

The oily film is very common in a non skimmer tank. If you notice the film not receading, make sure you give the water surface good agitation for gas exchange.

[MizTanks]

With the HOB fuge I don't even know if I have room for a skimmer. It's 19" long and my tank is 24" so that doesn't leave much room for one.

[Heidi]

Surface skimmer box is on its way Jamie! Hope it helps.

[MizTanks]

Awww Heidi, what a sweet heart!! ((((hugs))))

[chort55]

foam bubbles where????

+1 to what sirpatrick said also tho

[Sir Patrick]

^ I would guess the foam bubbles are at the surface, most likely in a corner or edge in a lower flow area.

After the rocks clean up, and the tank finishes its cycle, the film should go away with adaquate water changes. Surface skimming will help a ton!

[MizTanks]

Yer right Sir. The foam, which is not bad at all. Collects behind the output. I wish there was some way I could stop the output from creating bubbles