The oil slick is normal but not ideal, at the extreme it can prevent air gas exchange.
I've noticed plants appear to repel it, on mine it tends to stop a couple of inches from the edges of leaves.
Someone might correct or qualify this as I'm guessing a bit.
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A film of oil on the water surface isn't an immediate indication of any problems, this site gives a pretty good explanation of some causes and how to deal with it https://fishlab.com/oil-and-protein-fil ... k%20forms.
I think gas exchange prevention will only be significant if the film becomes quite thick.
I've always found the best way to prevent it, is with surface agitation and plenty of mechanical filtration, so if you are going for a low surface agitation aquarium I think you will find it hard to avoid getting an oil film on the surface to some degree.
I think gas exchange prevention will only be significant if the film becomes quite thick.
I've always found the best way to prevent it, is with surface agitation and plenty of mechanical filtration, so if you are going for a low surface agitation aquarium I think you will find it hard to avoid getting an oil film on the surface to some degree.