Preventing Surface Film

[shimps1]

I have a recently set up Reef Casa Studio 12, which I love the dimensions of, but I can't seem to get it running just right to get rid of surface film. I never had an issue with surface film in all of my past tanks, so I'm looking for some advice on how to get it stopped.

This tank is about three weeks old, set up with bottled bacteria, dry rock, and live sand, so I am hoping maybe it is just a part of the cycling process.

See attached photos, and short video of surface agitation I have the tank running with. The film isn't visible from above the water, but when looking up through the glass, it's pretty clearly there. The overflow into the sump doesn't seem to have much "suction" off the surface if that makes sense.

Should I wait it out as part of the cycle, or try to figure out some more surface agitation?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Is the film collecting on the opposite side of the return or on both sides

 

[afboundguy]

You could try and lower the water level in that first overflow spot and that could help. If there's not enough of a drop off it might not be clearing the film.

 

[shimps1]

Is the film collecting on the opposite side of the return or on both sides

Film is on both sides

You could try and lower the water level in that first overflow spot and that could help. If there's not enough of a drop off it might not be clearing the film.

I have tried, but I don't think I have the ability to lower it with the design of the tank. Increasing pump speed (thus lowering the sump side water level) also raises the water level in that first chamber. The baffles appear to be quite high in the sump, causing it to not flow super effectively with the refugium I have back there.

 

[afboundguy]

You could try pointing the PHs more at the surface.

 

[Lavey29]

Looks more like new tank sand silt in the water which would be expected and will eventually filter out. Do you have sufficient surface ripple?

 

[Subsea]

Film is on both sides

I have tried, but I don't think I have the ability to lower it with the design of the tank. Increasing pump speed (thus lowering the sump side water level) also raises the water level in that first chamber. The baffles appear to be quite high in the sump, causing it to not flow super effectively with the refugium I have back there.

In looking at your AIO at vendor website, I don’t understand why you can’t remove water from display, there by lowering water level across weir into back filter. This will better skim your surface.
However, to be blunt, I don’t see surface film..

https://reefcasa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/studio-12-png.png

To use your AIO's water level for surface skimming,
ensure the main tank's water level is slightly above the overflow weir, allowing surface film to flow into the AIO chamber, then adjust the internal water levels (often by managing pump flow or media) so water drops into the return section, effectively skimming the surface into filtration, but avoid making the AIO water level too high, which stops skimming.

 

[shimps1]

In looking at your AIO at vendor website, I don’t understand why you can’t remove water from display, there by lowering water level across weir into back filter. This will better skim your surface.
However, to be blunt, I don’t see surface film..

https://reefcasa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/studio-12-png.png

To use your AIO's water level for surface skimming,
ensure the main tank's water level is slightly above the overflow weir, allowing surface film to flow into the AIO chamber, then adjust the internal water levels (often by managing pump flow or media) so water drops into the return section, effectively skimming the surface into filtration, but avoid making the AIO water level too high, which stops skimming.

It is a bit hard to explain, but I will try. Attached is a bad paint drawing of the sump layout.

Water intake through the left, down through filter media basket, into second chamber (through vented refugium box in second chamber), over second baffle, under third baffle, into pump area.

As the tank sits now, if I removed any more water, it would be flirting with the return pump running dry. The water level in the pump chamber of the sump is about 1" above the top of the pump. I believe the problem is the second baffle is too tall, causing the water level in the second chamber to be very close to the water level of the actual display. There isn't room for water to collect in that second chamber, without backing up into the first.

I even emailed Reef Casa about this as I was setting it up, because I felt the water level in the display was too high. See here. They said the water level is as designed, and if I want the display water level lower, to turn the return pump down. I am currently running it at a 5 out of 10, and that is giving me the water levels in the original post on this thread. If I turn the pump up more, the water level in the display increases, to the point of being too close for comfort to the top of the glass (linked post). However, the water level in chamber 1 also increases, and starts flowing through the emergency overflow in baffle 1, see third photo in OP. Having the tank running through the emergency overflow as normal operation doesn't feel right to me.

I am somewhat stuck on where to go from here, as I like the look of the tank, but I don't think I can get proper surface skimming from it. My only guess is the media basket I have in chamber one is restricting flow too much, but it was designed specifically for this tank, and also is holding all of my mechanical filter media, so I really dont want it removed. If you need more clarification on the design in back, let me know.

 

[Subsea]

Surprised that vendor does not supply more customer service. I understand what you described and I agree with your assessment that the second baffle is too tall. Can you cut a notch out in second baffle?

 

[shimps1]

Surprised that vendor does not supply more customer service. I understand what you described and I agree with your assessment that the second baffle is too tall. Can you cut a notch out in second baffle?

Not really, it's made of glass, so cutting it would be a big ask. Any suggestions? Especially with the tank up and running.

Out of curiosity, I removed all of my filter media, and it's still barely providing any drop off from the display tank water level. I'm almost certain it's due to that second baffle height. It would solve both display level, and skimming problems if it was lower.

At this point I think I have to hope the film will go away as the tank matures, I guess. I agree, it's not a lot of surface scum, but it's noticeable on an open top lagoon style tank, I would really prefer the water be crystal clear.

Never had this issue (or the water level issue) with prior AIO systems.

 

[Subsea]

If the vendor does not understand the engineering solution:
“Houston, we have a problem.”

Send this thread link to their customer service representative or/and send pictures with your description .

 

[Crabs McJones]

Can you lower the level in the back chamber so the water has to "fall" more. Will help with surface skimming

 

[shimps1]

Can you lower the level in the back chamber so the water has to "fall" more. Will help with surface skimming

I cannot, the only chamber in the back that has a variable water level is the last one, and it is already as low as it will go without leaving a buffer to prevent the pump running dry.

 

[KrisReef]

Time to tilt the stand?

A glass drill could punch a hole in the 2nd baffle but this is not a hobbyist DIY solution. Neither is tilting the stand, but it could work on another planet. This tank is not put together correctly.

 

[shimps1]

I reached out to Reef Casa, and they were super quick to respond. They offered to build a new tank for me, with a lower second baffle. I measured the current one at 9", I asked for one at 7.5".

Not sure if the one I have is out of spec, or if it's supposed to be the way it is, but I think a lower second baffle will solve the problems.

Might create a bit of water noise/splash in chamber one, but it will be landing on filter floss, so I think it'll be ok.

 

[KrisReef]

I reach out to Reef Casa, and they were super quick to respond. They offered to build a new tank for me, with a lower second baffle.

Not sure if the one I have is out of spec, or if it's supposed to be the way it is, but I think a lower second baffle will solve the problems.

Very nice of them

Might create a bit of water noise/splash in chamber one, but it will be landing on filter floss, so I think it'll be ok.

Always a down side. (You sound like my wife.) 36 years of agony and she wont stop.

 

[Lavey29]

If it doesn't have an oily sheen to it then its not surface film. Do you have a powerhead? Is it mounted 2 to 3 inches below the surface?

 

[BriDroid]

I had the same issue with my Landen cube. I ended up getting an InTank surface skimmer. It works great and seems to hold up too.

 

[shimps1]

If it doesn't have an oily sheen to it then its not surface film. Do you have a powerhead? Is it mounted 2 to 3 inches below the surface?

It doesn't have an oily sheen, it's just somewhat of a whitish layer of dust and particles that aren't getting sucked into the overflow. I have my return nozzles basically right at the surface, and a powerhead about 4" below. There is a video attached to the first post showing surface agitation as the tank sits now.

 

[shimps1]

Now I am second guessing myself on if it's worth it hassle of getting a second tank made, and having to move everything over, just to feel like the surface is skimmed better. I just don't feel like I'm getting effective flow through the media in chamber one as it sits currently. There are a lot of particulates in the water, an amount I'm not used to seeing, and I don't think it's normal for a 3 week old tank.