oil film on surface, is my aquaticslife skimmer not skimming properly?

[Robert McCreary]

ive only had this tank under my ownership for a bout a month or 2 its the evo 13.5 gallon. the aquaticslife 115 skimmer came with the unit and worked fine (kindof) I had to install two zipties to the skimmer housing for it to work properly. anyways I have a oil film on the surface of my water. what do you think I should do? p.s. I didn't search for any sticky or bumped threads; feel free to rrecommend any links

I had the return pump shut off for the purpose of this post.
I do weekly 10-15 percent water changes ill be doing one tomorrow
maybe I introduced oils from my hands??? idk

 

[Robert McCreary]

^correction I do 25% changes sorry

 

[trio91]

Could be oil from excessive feeding (the food) and/or a lack of surface agitation....just my guess

 

[Benga]

Try to avoid getting your hands in there, even after washing, your skin oils will get in there. I think the only way to get rid of the oil would be an overflow that eats up the surface. What I did before my overflow when i noticed this was get a gallon bottle and have the power-heads only on one side on that way all that oil was pushed to the opposite side, then i used the bottle to collect that top layer of oil.

 

[THX1138CY]

Same thing happens to me after I feed using Selcon. Its just oils from feeding.

 

[Robert McCreary]

ok i think its from the mysis shrimp. normally i rinse them but the last time i feed i forgot. it fits the timeline perfectly.

and thanks for the idea benga ill try it

is a 261gph pump too much for the return/filter

 

[trio91]

It could be the selcon, try cutting back on that

point your power head towards to surface to see if that helps

 

[trio91]

Sorry got confused with the 2 orange icons

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have a still, freshwater betta tank and get some oils on the surface from food. I lay a dry paper towel on the surface occasionally and it soaks up quite a bit of the oil. Good, cheap, quick fix.