Persistent biofilm

[bristleworm]

What type of overflow do you have? Is this an AIO system?

 

[DmitryB]

If your picture is your surface agitation, to me thats not much agitation. The surface of my tanks looks like white water rapids, that may be overkill but you should at least have some strong ripples going across the surface, I like to see the occasional tiny bubble enter the water from the amount of agitation.

You need more surface agitation to mix that stuff back into the water so that your filtration can filter it out. Move your powerheads to just a few inches below the water and aim them up.

The surface film cuts the light and also cuts the gas exchange (cutting the oxygen level), as well as it is unattractive, so its important to get it resolved.

Does strong surface agitation create water micro bubbles that then float through the tank?

 

[dank.reefer]

IMO the problem with this tank is the complete lack of surface skimming. Without surface skimming this film wont go away. I had this same issue when I used to use just a canister filter. I added a surface strainer to my intake hose and never had the issue again. From what I see here all you have for filtration outside of the internal protein skimmer is the substrate in the tank, is that correct? nothing wrong with that it just leaves no way to remove anything that floats to the surface. Whether it be protein waste, bio film, or algae it will just float until something skims it away.

 

[Rocks reef]

Were you using orange glasses taking those pics? Can't see a f... thing mate

Hey James,

How about having some respect and actually help out rather than making smug comments.... "mate"

 

[Rocks reef]

Yeah I feel like that's the best option. I was trying to avoid buying anything new but a cheap skimmer doesn't hurt toooo much ;)

@kingranch2003 gave some good options.
You could also look at the Tunze Comline. It is in an internal filter but it pulls water from the surface as well, it will take care of the surface film. I ran one for a year on a 40g breeder, it worked great and wasn't expensive.

 

[Rocks reef]

Okay, rather than duplicate my pics...Tell me what am i missing

Didn't you refer to him as a "blue reefer".... your tank looks quite blue...

 

[Rocks reef]

Does strong surface agitation create water micro bubbles that then float through the tank?

Not necessarily. I have strong surface agitation with no micro bubbles.

 

[Rocks reef]

IMO the problem with this tank is the complete lack of surface skimming. Without surface skimming this film wont go away. I had this same issue when I used to use just a canister filter. I added a surface strainer to my intake hose and never had the issue again. From what I see here all you have for filtration outside of the internal protein skimmer is the substrate in the tank, is that correct? nothing wrong with that it just leaves no way to remove anything that floats to the surface. Whether it be protein waste, bio film, or algae it will just float until something skims it away.

^This ...

 

[bristleworm]

That's what I'm getting at. Unless you are using a canister filter your overflow should be doing the surface skimming and pulling the film into the sump through your first stage of mechanical filtration. I don't think adding another piece of equipment is the answer, when a properly running system should be doing this.

I have an AIO system and made the rookie mistake of filling the tank so full it over filled the sump and water would enter the skimmer and flow right across the top of the sump and into the return.
Once I lowered the level so it would cascade into the return chamber my film instantly went away.
I have a 25 gal Lagoon, so not a lot of water volume but I'm not kidding, the difference between the right height in the sump literally can be as little as a half a cup one way or the other.
Hope this helps, if it's your problem, there is a great video by WWC that really demonstrates it.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

I'm going to pick up a little surface skimmer and hope it does the trick. Thanks for all of the help and replies. Much appreciated <3

 

[bristleworm]

They work, I commonly used them on planted tanks with canister filters.
But you really shouldn't need it if tank has an overflow setup.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

They work, I commonly used them on planted tanks with canister filters.
But you really shouldn't need it if tank has an overflow setup.

The tanks only filtration is my skimmer. I've been very reliant on my deep sand bed and "natural" filtration but I guess it isn't cutting it anymore.

 

[bristleworm]

Ah I was confusing myself. I was using the term skimmer in terms of an overflow box not a protein skimmer.
Still haven't fully transitioned from freshwater.

 

[DmitryB]

Not necessarily. I have strong surface agitation with no micro bubbles.

I've got microbbubles and not sure where they're coming from then. I assumed it was surface agitation.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

I've got microbbubles and not sure where they're coming from then. I assumed it was surface agitation.

Skimmer?

 

[Rocks reef]

I've got microbbubles and not sure where they're coming from then. I assumed it was surface agitation.

Post this in a different thread and tag me. We will sort this out for you sir. I don’t want to hijack the OP thread.

 

[Rocks reef]

The tanks only filtration is my skimmer. I've been very reliant on my deep sand bed and "natural" filtration but I guess it isn't cutting it anymore.

You are doing it right. However, unless you have a way to break that surface film and get it in the water column, the skimmer won’t pull it out. Even if you do, your skimmer won’t pull much. There are options out there so you aren’t adding more equipment, but rather replace it with a more efficient means of filtration.
As mentioned, the Tunze Comline does both. I ran one for over a year as the only filtration on my 40g, no skimmer, sump, just that little filter. It does take up tank space but not much more than the skimmer you have. Another option is a small canister filter or HOB filter.
I may have my Tunze Comline laying around, if so, it is yours. Free of charge.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

The tanks only filtration is my skimmer. I've been very reliant on my deep sand bed and "natural" filtration but I guess it isn't cutting it anymore.

You are doing it right. However, unless you have a way to break that surface film and get it in the water column, the skimmer won’t pull it out. Even if you do, your skimmer won’t pull much. There are options out there so you aren’t adding more equipment, but rather replace it with a more efficient means of filtration.
As mentioned, the Tunze Comline does both. I ran one for over a year as the only filtration on my 40g, no skimmer, sump, just that little filter. It does take up tank space but not much more than the skimmer you have. Another option is a small canister filter or HOB filter.
I may have my Tunze Comline laying around, if so, it is yours. Free of charge.

I don’t have much equipment space as it isn’t an all in one. One of my biggest regrets. I’m going to order a small surface skimmer but I really appreciate the offer, you could get a few bucks for it anyways ;)

 

[1ocean]

Flow flow flow...the surface needs to be moving which in turn will cause a flow across the sand helping with natural filtration.

 

[bristleworm]

On the freshwater side, I've had good luck with the Eheim skimmer. Doesn't take up much space.