Refugium slick

[Homer Allman]

I recently got my refugium/sump set up. It's been running for around two weeks now. I converted a 6 foot 125 gallon tank into this. It has 6 chambers to force the water up and down. My display is 300 gallons. In the refugium part it is developing a clear scum slick on top. I've read and googled only to get mixed answers. Some say not enough water flow, stir up the surface and mix it in with a power head. Others say leave it alone or skim it off the surface with a paper towel. My thoughts are not to put power head into the refugium part and some how remove it from the surface with a paper towel or wool, manually. I definitely do not want it mixed back in. With the scum developing on the surface of the refugium, it seems to me that things are working perfect. What are you thoughts? At the point I only have live rock, a fist size piece of cheato and sand in the fuge part. Water flow through the system is around 400 gallons and hour. Thanks for your time.

 

[IronVulture]

Need more flow, turning over your system only once an hour is not enough flow, a power head in the fuge will help mix the scum off the surface so it can be skimmed out by your skimmer.

 

[Wiz]

Do you dose vodka Or any other carbon

 

[Homer Allman]

That's only the flow through the fuge, but I agree more is better. Saving for the L1 now. ;-) The DT has two mp40's and two other power head so flow is good up above.
.

I do not dose anything yet. I do run GFO and have a four chamber carbon filter running, but I think you mean dose carbon, so no on that. I'm also running a skimmer.

thank you both for your answer.

 

[Wiz]

Definitely sounds like some type of bacteria growing on the water surface not sure what might be causing it though

 

[Homer Allman]

I've read some stuff that say it's normal and good. It means the refuge is doing it's job by slowing things down so junk can settle out. Though this time it's settling to the top. ;-)

 

[SAKTEK]

I used to get that same bacteria build up in my sump when my AC had been running for about a week, didn't cause any issues as far as I could see. To remedy that, I started turning the AC off at night time, and opening my windows. My turnover ratio is a lot higher though, I'd say about 15x

 

[Homer Allman]

thank you. I do agree more water flow through the fuge would be an improvement.