How to Get Rid of Pesky Oil Slicks in Your Fish Tank

Ever notice an oil slick on a fish tank's glass or on top of the water? When first noticed, many people are baffled how those slicks could have possibly developed. They fret over whether it was harmful and, most importantly, wonder how to get rid of them. Here are the answers to those lingering questions:

Where Do Fish Tank Oil Slicks Come From?

First, be aware that it only takes a small quantity of oil to make a slick on water. A drop or two will create an impressive oil slick. Many sources can introduce a tiny amount of oil, including:

• Fish food: Most fish foods have some fat (in the form of oils) in them.
• Hands: Everyone has oil on their skin, not to mention hand lotion they potentially use.
• The air: Aerosol cooking oils spread throughout the air, which is why kitchen surfaces get greasy. If the aquarium is in the next room, the tiny droplets of oil in the air can easily be carried to the tank.
• Equipment: Filters and pumps can have small amounts of oil to lubricate them.
• Fish waste: Fecal material from the fish contains some fat.
• Dead fish: In the unhappy event that a fish dies and is not immediately removed, the decomposing body releases fat into the water.

Now that some possible origins for the oil have been established, maybe there's a lingering thought as to why all aquariums don't have oil slicks. Many would if they didn't have filters and pumps circulating the water. The constant water movement keeps the minute quantities of oil mixed in with the water so they never rise to the top and create an oil slick. For that reason, aquariums that have little water movement are more prone to the formation of oil slicks.

Are Aquarium Oil Slicks Dangerous?

The oil itself may not be dangerous, but it reduces the normal gas exchange that occurs at the surface of the water. That, in turn, will reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, which is not good for fish. Furthermore, the underlying cause for the oil may be pointing to a larger problem, such as overfeeding, insufficient maintenance, or even faulty equipment.

How to Get Rid of Them

A quick way to remove the oil slick is to turn off the filters and pumps and wait a bit for the water to become still. The oil can be removed by laying a paper towel lightly on the surface for a few moments, then removing it. It may be necessary to repeat the process a couple of times. The paper towel absorbs the oil pretty efficiently.

For larger oil slicks, use a clean cup and press the base down into the water so that the rim of the open top is just barely below the surface of the water. The water will flow into the cup from the surface, bringing the oil with it. Be sure to only barely submerge the lip so that only the surface water and the oil will enter the cup. Repeat as needed.

How to Prevent Them

To keep the oil slick from coming back, make sure that the tank has good surface agitation, regular maintenance (including periodic water changes) is performed regularly, and make sure your hands are free of lotions. Using gloves when working inside the aquarium will ensure nothing is transferred from the skin. If the oil slick continues to appear, check filters and pumps carefully for the presence of oil. Faulty equipment has been known to release oil into the water.