Surface trash

[35gcube]

G'day everybody, on my new tank's water surface appears to be some unwanted specs. How do I get rid of them? Thanks

 

[shakacuz]

more surface movement/agitation.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

G'day everybody, on my new tank's water surface appears to be some unwanted specs. How do I get rid of them? Thanks

You can get a surface skimmer, also if your tank has an weir box that has an input that extends over the surface it will usually take care of this

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

In

You can get a surface skimmer, also if your tank has an weir box that has an input that extends over the surface it will usually take care of this

Like this, if the weir box can filter the top layer of water it should go away, if you have a similar design and it isn't skimming than check if algae is blocking it or if the flow is preventing it from getting filtered

 

[35gcube]

In

Like this, if the weir box can filter the top layer of water it should go away, if you have a similar design and it isn't skimming than check if algae is blocking it or if the flow is preventing it from getting filtered

I don't have a sump

 

[Shon]

Similar issue myself. My 10g aio collects it in the return section. Oily when in water but cakes into hard build up when it adheres to things. Brackish 1.018 molly tank, didn't start till I used Omega One Marine Flakes. Some of it bypasses the 40ppi filter sponge, thinking I might need a mini skimmer or a small micron filter to get rid of it. Following, curious if yours is the same and what others say might fix it.

Worried that if I put in diy ATO float switches that this stuff will mess with it. Kind of in limbo with that project because of it..

 

[ingchr1]

I have an AIO as well and also get surface film from time to time. The issue I have is with the way water flows on the surface. All of the surface water does not make it to the weirs when all flow is on. When I want to get rid of the surface film, I turn off my powerheads and only have the return pump on. This allows all of the surface water to flow to the weirs, and the surface film is cleared in about ten minutes. I actually place the powerheads in feed mode when I do this. Feed mode turns them off for ten minutes. I have tried all kinds of flow patterns, but none clear the surface film when all flow is on.

In my case, less surface agitation from time to time is the solution.

Note, I do have a skimmer.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

aim a powerhead at your water surface to get it back into the water, then improve the filtration to get it out of the water.

If you don't have a skimmer, then pointing a powerhead at the water surface is doubly important because it will help with gas exchange and help put oxygen into the water.