Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry How do I get rid of an oil slick?

A week ago I noticed a light oil slick on my quarter acre pond. I don't know where it came from but it can't be a good thing to leave on the water with 100 degree days and declining oxygen levels.


I would appreciate your suggestions for getting rid of it.

Richard

Richard,

This may be totally unrelated to your situation, but predator fish commonly regurgitate (spelling?...ok throw-up ) their catch resulting in a fish oil slick on the surface of the water... it looks just like any other oil slick, but generally has a sweet, watermellon smell to it. For many years, we have used this bit of information to locate and catch predator fish, especially in salt water. If it is a fish slick, don't worry about it...but get your rod out.

If its petro based oil slick and very light, it should disperse naturally. If its more concentrated, I'm not sure.

ML, makes good points. septic tank in watershed can cause this also. I wouldn't be alarmed, maybe it will help control the skeeters. If it remains, I would start aeration, or start aeration anyway, if possible.

Heck with the fish! Do you have mineral rights?

Meadowlark,

I've seen and smelled a speckeled trout slick and this one doesn't have a noticeable smell. The only food the catfish have been getting is the dry floating food.

Burgermeister,

There is a septic tank 600 feet uphill from the pond so that might be a possibility. I have considered aeration but the only thing stopping me is the $700 cost I have seen for a quarter acre setup from the Pond Guy. Do you know of a more reasonably priced aeration solution?

Bobad,

I don't think there is much of that kind of oil in my area but we are over the Barnett Shale and there are gas wells all around. Unfortunately me and most of my neighbors don't own the mineral rights.

My main worry was that the slick would cause a reduction in oxygen by sealing the water surface along with the problem of 100 degree Texas summer days. Aeration is something I have been thinking about since it would also help to clear up the cloudiness in the water. I think I see a compressor and some big dollars leaving my wallet in the future.

Thanks,

Richard

Richard, there are several threads on discount or homemade systems using surplus air compressors. Look under Aeration topics. Sorry I cant post a link for some reason. If your pond is 12 ft or so deepest, you have some inexpensive options.
Look under 'small compressor experimenting'.

Pump info here is a link in the forums

Air pump

I use the AL-80. It has a great flow of air, and is extremely quite. $300.