Thin film buld up on tank

Hi there, newbie here...

My tank has a thin oily film build up at the top. I have been skimming it off everyday but it keeps coming back...

Cherries and orange shrimp just gave birth a week or so ago... babies doing well...

Not sure what is causing the film and if it is harmful to the new colony...

Any advice?

Feeding Mosura Bioplus for the shrimplets. Hikari Shrimp cuisine and Hikari crab cuisine for the adults.

Try laying a thin tissue paper on water then remove it

Thanks! It works!

Do you know what is causing this?

Btw, I have a small bag of activated carbon in my filter... is this necessary or should i remove it?

[cheetf]

Likely it's a protein layer. Since you have shrimps, a skimmer would not be a good idea. Maybe you can have a airstone instead.

Thanks for the advice!

Will think about adding the airstone...

[JeffL]

For me it was the food that I was using, usually appear after I use it.

I used my lily pipe to create movement on water surface to remove the oil film.

Actually, this thin layer of oily film is harmless and it can be removed or prevented if you create some water movement (ie. airstone) especially at the water surface.

Thanks guys!

You guys really helped me out... will get the airstone and try...

Any to recommend? My tank is the Dymax IQ5...

[JeffL]

Originally Posted by tigger74

Thanks guys!

You guys really helped me out... will get the airstone and try...

Any to recommend? My tank is the Dymax IQ5...

IQ5? In the past I tried pointing the output upwards creating turbulence on the water surface. Helps a little but takes longer.

You can try that first if you want to save money.