Water Clarity Problems

[belmont0182]

my roomate has a tank and is having problems with the clarity of the water. He has a 6 rasboras and 4 hatchets in a 10 gallon. There is an oily substance at the surface of the water and we don't know what it is or how to get rid of it. The fish don't seem to be bothered by it. Looking from the side of the tank to the light, there are different colorations to different parts, almost like spilling gas on the water, with a rainbow-esk coloring to it. Any suggestions?

[PumaWard]

I would say that it sounds like his tank doesn't have a lot of surface agitation. I believe that build up can happen if the water is or is close to stagnant.

[belmont0182]

there is surface agitation, the filter pours into the water and there is a lot of movement on the surface.

[PumaWard]

Hmm, is there any activated carbon in the filter, some might clear the stuff out. Might also want to see if the stuff will stick to a paper towel if you just touch the surface with it.

Has he added anything from outside for decoration or anything?

[belmont0182]

the tank is fairly new, i dont know how long the carbon filter stays activated. he has three rocks in it from the outside...one was in a previous tank, the other two were from his yard. he says that he boiled them for 20 min before putting them in.

i personally think that something is leaking off of his homemade hood, he made it out of wood and finished it with waterproof stain. when i say that he dismisses me, so this is where you guys come in i guess.

[PumaWard]

It's very possible that could be causing it, how long did he let it dry before putting it on the tank?

If the fish are healthy and remain healthy, though, I question what it could be :confused:. Gasoline/petrollium (sp) products are usually toxic to fish, as well as stains.

[belmont0182]

his fish are healthy, ill ask him when he gets back how long he let the lid dry.

its very odd, my water comes from the same tap as his, yet i have no problems like that at all.

[Drewbis]

This is the Belmont's roomate, the owner of the tank of subject. (i was having problems registering my name). I let the hood dry for a good 24 hours before i had water in it, and the film didn't start to appear until a week after i had fish in it.. it didn't soak into a paper towel at all... do you think it has anything to do with the fish?? All bony fish (Class Osteichthyes) do produce a mucus to aid in swimming, could this be causing it?