Overflow box not removing surface film

[JAWSIII]

Hi, I have 65 gallon DT with a 20 high diy sump that is feed by a Blue Ocean OF 600 Overflow Box Continuous Siphon Aquarium Hang On 125G. I can’t seem to be able to skim off the surface film on the top of the water. My overflow box has about 1/2 inch difference between water surface outside and inside the box itself. I have one of my power heads pointed up at the surface on the other side of the tank. My skimmer is located in the sump Reef Octo Any ideas on how to get the overflow box to skimmer the surface?

 

[D4jack]

That mesh is not allowing it through. Take it out and see. Get a coarse filter sponge if that's the case.

 

[D4jack]

You shouldn't really need it at all. Just my opinion though.

 

[jnvd3b]

I have one of my power heads pointed up at the surface on the other side of the tank.

have you turned it off and observed if the film goes away?

 

[D4jack]

I had a similar problem with a homemade overflow. I drilled holes. It needed slots. I fixed that and it worked great. The mesh is turning your slots into holes.

 

[D4jack]

Not allowing the surface to move freely.

 

[JAWSIII]

That mesh is not allowing it through. Take it out and see. Get a coarse filter sponge if that's the case.

Hey. Thanks for the feedback i actually tried to account for that and put the mesh to the back. It’s not actually against the slots but it is “in the way of the flow at the bottom “. You think that still may cause it not to “skim”

 

[JAWSIII]

 

[HuduVudu]

You need pretty significant flow to properly surface skim. If you are only using a siphon, I highly doubt that you will have enough flow.

 

[JAWSIII]

Sorry. Not sure why video isn’t playing

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Probably just need more flow. What pump are you using? One inch plumbing? Any idea your GPH?

 

[JAWSIII]

Probably just need more flow. What pump are you using? One inch plumbing? Any idea your GPH?

It says 800 gph but not sure at what height that is rated. It was an inexpensive Vivsun pump on Amazon (built on a budget). 3/4 tubing 3.5 ft high from pump to return The overflow was rated for 800 gph and I didn’t wanna overpower that My main reason for doing a sump was to create a very low flow area for a xport bio plate. Anyway I guess I should look at a more substantial pump and use a valve to control Thanks.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

It says 800 gph but not sure at what height that is rated. It was an inexpensive Vivsun pump on Amazon (built on a budget). 3/4 tubing 3.5 ft high from pump to return The overflow was rated for 800 gph and I didn’t wanna overpower that My main reason for doing a sump was to create a very low flow area for a xport bio plate. Anyway I guess I should look at a more substantial pump and use a valve to control Thanks.

The other approach if you are just trying to eliminate surface film would be to agitate the surface with more powerheads chopping the surface of the water. Of course, that is counter productive if you really want that surface film to go down into your sump/fuge

 

[miyags]

When my jebao wave maker bit the dust in my 65 cube tank ,thats what my surface looked like.Not enough surface flow

 

[D4jack]

Did you try removing the mesh yet?

 

[Joekovar]

This is basically a 6" diameter PVC pipe with slots cut into it. As you can see, it's completely surrounded by water and I use a constant siphon with a kickstart pump to pull water into the sump.

I have a very low turnover compared to most people. I have a lot of water movement via powerheads.

I have to turn my powerheads off when I want to surface skim. Otherwise the flow just sucks stuff back into the water column before it gets to the overflow.

 

[JAWSIII]

Did you try removing the mesh yet?

Yes I did. Didn’t change anything.

what I tried was to upgrade the return pipe to 3/4 pvc. It was 1/2 vinyl tubing before. The pvc change did help some the surface is not as oily but still not perfect. I’m gonna have to get a bigger pump or rig up a separate skimmer. Thanks again.