Surface film issue

[demetri]

Can anyone help me figure out what this stuff is and how to get rid of it.

I’ve been having a surface film issue. I have good surface agitation from return pumps as well as a decent surface skim from the intakes but this stuff just won’t leave the top of the water.

Worse of all when it gets disturbed like in the video it causes this like flakes stuff to sink and gets in the water column.

What could it be and how can I get rid of it

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

For me I feel that is not good surface agitation. I would raise the powerhead higher or get another on the opposite side that you can angle upwards. You have to get that mixed into the water so that your filtration can filter it out

 

[BryanM]

From this small clip I can't really tell, but I tend to agree with the above from Mojo, it looks a little calm to be good. You might try to get more surface agitation and see if this helps alleviate your problem.

 

[demetri]

From this small clip I can't really tell, but I tend to agree with the above from Mojo, it looks a little calm to be good. You might try to get more surface agitation and see if this helps alleviate your problem.

When I get home I can re show the video. I do have as bout as good of surface agitation I can get. Right now the flow is pretty much perfect too and wouldn’t wanna change it

 

[demetri]

What could the flakey stuff actually be

 

[BryanM]

What could the flakey stuff actually be

Unfortunately I do not have a good answer for that, but if you can either get the overflow nozzle pretty level with the surface, or point a powerhead up to it, it should break it up and allow for your mechanical filtration to snatch it up.

 

[demetri]

Unfortunately I do not have a good answer for that, but if you can either get the overflow nozzle pretty level with the surface, or point a powerhead up to it, it should break it up and allow for your mechanical filtration to snatch it up.

Sounds good. I’ll try. It’s such a close thing because i don’t want water noises haha

 

[areefer01]

If you have a standing film on the surface then I would follow the path of water.

Tank surface, overflow, plumbing, sump, then return back to the display.

If there is a film on the surface then it isn't moving or slowed or blocked. You need to check that. If you have a smooth weir this may not be the issue. On the other hand if your overflow has teeth are they blocked? Is the return pump working efficient? Is the overflow adjusted such that the return to display and back to overflow is balanced? The water level in the overflow box such that it is actually skimming?

Look in those areas. Picture a leaf on the surface and what it does. It should follow the current like a leaf in the gutter flowing down, and over, the overflow. If it isn't that is your issue.