Power head for a nano tank?

[babyg2.0]

Hey y'all! This isn't necessarily a reef problem because I'm having an issue with my nano freshwater but it does have to do with classic fish tank problems in general. Any help would be much appreciated!

I have a 5.5 gallon nano with four zebra danios and a single male beta. I have a protein film on the surface of the water and was thinking, instead of an overflow which I would need a sump for, I would put a power head in there towards the surface until it clears for a while. My concern is that my beta will not be okay since they are not apt for currents and it is such a small tank. I have tried skimming the tank myself just using a cup and getting it all off the surface but the next day, it's just as bad. Please let me know what you think. Also, please don't yell at me because this is a freshwater post in a reef forum. I know. I can't find any decent freshwater forums but y'all reefers are so nice so I thought I'd give it a try!

Thank you!!

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Wait so are you just trying to get some surface agitation? What about a cheap pump? You could get one of those 80gph pumps off Amazon for $8, put it at the bottom and point it at the surface. Should create the surface agitation you're looking for while not disturbing the flow that much. Or what about a fan and point it at the surface?

 

[babyg2.0]

Wait so are you just trying to get some surface agitation? What about a cheap pump? You could get one of those 80gph pumps off Amazon for $8, put it at the bottom and point it at the surface. Should create the surface agitation you're looking for while not disturbing the flow that much. Or what about a fan and point it at the surface?

Aha! moment: what if I just throw an air stone in there? Bubble wand?

 

[nervousmonkey]

Anything that increases gas exchange with the water is helpful, such as an air stone or bubble wand.
But seriously, what are you trying to achieve? Air exchange or getting rid of the film or both? What are you using for filtration?

 

[babyg2.0]

Anything that increases gas exchange with the water is helpful, such as an air stone or bubble wand.
But seriously, what are you trying to achieve? Air exchange or getting rid of the film or both? What are you using for filtration?

I have a whisper filter. It came with the kit.

 

[brandon429]

in my opinion do nothing. to distribute the proteins around the tank is no better than them pooling on top and becoming reflective, its not going to affect your setup any. if you wanted it gone due to looks only, and this was not a planted tank, then id do the same takeapart cleaning on this tank that we do on saltwater nano reefs, that's the most thorough way to deal with a protein slick (remove the whole slick)

you just put the tank back together in the cleaned condition and it will skip cycle just like reefs do.

 

[babyg2.0]

in my opinion do nothing. to distribute the proteins around the tank is no better than them pooling on top and becoming reflective, its not going to affect your setup any.

I just wasn't sure because the filter is silent, there's no evap on the tank either since we keep our house pretty cold. I do water changes but it still worries me. I'm just afraid they aren't getting enough oxygen. They look great though.

 

[brandon429]

no worries about the gas exchange that slick w not affect it. that's not to say we cant google up some reference that says it will but in 30 yrs freshwater keeping which makes me sound as old as I am its not been an issue, no cause for concern given all normal other params. its not hard to do a full cleaning, where the whole tank is taken apart and the substrate is cleaned out. that's leaking the slick as much as anything, though the slick doesn't matter in the end its only visual impacts. I think the slick w do nothing to your gas exchange measurably or impactfully.

 

[nervousmonkey]

I just wasn't sure because the filter is silent, there's no evap on the tank either since we keep our house pretty cold. I do water changes but it still worries me. I'm just afraid they aren't getting enough oxygen. They look great though.

Your concern with air exchange is the most valid here. Like Brandon said, simply moving the proteins off of the surface and back into solution doesn't do much but make the water more yellow. A protein film will, however, cause minor problems with air exchange, although as @brandon429 said, nothing impactful. In other words, they are getting enough oxygen. You shouldn't have many issues with the small volume to surface area ratio that you have, though.

 

[babyg2.0]

Thank you all! I will most likely still be getting a bubble wand for the back of the tank, at least it'll help aesthetically!

 

[Flameback Pair]

Try this. I've used it on big, small, reef, and fresh tanks:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ..._QEOicRx1FVI0jiWnh8W6rDdAG5Kb9g64-BoCx-3w_wcB

 

[babyg2.0]

Try this. I've used it on big, small, reef, and fresh tanks:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ..._QEOicRx1FVI0jiWnh8W6rDdAG5Kb9g64-BoCx-3w_wcB

I'm worried that my beta won't like it. It's only a 5.5gal nano so a little goes a long way. I'm worried he won't be able to enjoy the whole tank.

 

[Mikedawg]

Hey y'all! This isn't necessarily a reef problem because I'm having an issue with my nano freshwater but it does have to do with classic fish tank problems in general. Any help would be much appreciated!

I have a 5.5 gallon nano with four zebra danios and a single male beta. I have a protein film on the surface of the water and was thinking, instead of an overflow which I would need a sump for, I would put a power head in there towards the surface until it clears for a while. My concern is that my beta will not be okay since they are not apt for currents and it is such a small tank. I have tried skimming the tank myself just using a cup and getting it all off the surface but the next day, it's just as bad. Please let me know what you think. Also, please don't yell at me because this is a freshwater post in a reef forum. I know. I can't find any decent freshwater forums but y'all reefers are so nice so I thought I'd give it a try!

Thank you!!

Been there; above information will get you on right track for "permanently" solving problem. As a temporary solution you can lightly skim a paper towel on the surface to remove the protein slick and keep it from dissolving back into the tank water. Then put into action your bubble wand, airstone, etc.

Might also want to monitor your feeding practices as well to cut down on excessive nutrients in your tank. Certainly a good tank cleaning will help as well.