FX filters are amazing canisters by their design and now have an FX2 for smaller cabinets. Same volume of filtration as the FX4 but the sponges are narrower allowing a smaller overall foot print although still the same height. Oddly, the new sponge structure should be better because of less bypass.
More water movement is easiest fix. Keep the scum suspended in the water so the skimmer can catch it.
I think we are talking about the biofilm that grows on the surface of the tank. Not the organics attracted to bubbles that form on the top of bubbles. That's all a skimmer removes. It's not going to remove what's at the surface of the tank itself. Only an overflow box drawing surface water will solve that or just increased surface movement to create clear section of water to allow gas exchange. The one downfall of any filtration that draws water from below the surface.
Ahh I see. I'm so new to this saltwater world its unreal aha my tanks about 7 month old now and I'm having some troubles as I never thought about the size of the tank affecting overall peramiter swings and I'll be honest I'm quite a lazy reefer and wont do things unless its drastic that's bad I know but I am getting better as I just bought a rodi filter so that will save me money in the long run and I have a set schedule I stick to now, I currently have the fluval 13.5 and I won't lie it's a great tank but I think you need to accompany it with some good equipment alongside it aha.
If you have a weir on your overflow that will prevent the scum line in the DT but even if you do not you can bust it up with circulation
You're using an overflow and the conversation is about using a canister which I assume is the method of drawing tank volume from the DT. Why I keep referencing the use of an overflow to draw the water to feed the canister and solve the biofilm that grows on the surface of the DT. I'm also assuming any skimmer will be post the canister and allow the canister to prefilter the bulk of the detritus produced. Skimmer can then function mostly for gas exchange although I'm skeptical of how much better that actually is vs surface agitation on the DT. In my world, keeping it simple is always best and less equipment to account for or maintain the goal. Everything needs to solve an exact purpose that can't be solved via other more simplistic approaches.
Gotcha. No I was talking about the sump/canister setup. Even with a straight canister setup though you can break the scum line by placing a powerhead close to the surface to agitate the waterline.
I’ve not experienced that surface agitation breaks up the surface film vs just making it accumulate elsewhere. I’ll pay closer attention as this is new information to me and that surface film has always been a pet peeve as I often like looking down from above with glow off.
