Surface slick/film

[rp2763]

I know this was talked about before and read old threads on the topic. From my reading and understanding, an increase in flow and skimming helps. The reason I'm starting this is to ask if there is a way to get rid of this without a skimmer?

I'm running a fluval evo 13.5, sicce 1.0 return, a wave maker on lowest setting, fliter floss, carbon, cheato, but no skimmer. Phosphate. 03, 20 nitrate, 8.1ph, I am low on mag 1020, 400 calcium, 9 dkh, using reef crystals.

Thanks for any responses

 

[Reeflix]

i also would would like to know, as i have that as well, but brownish and little specks. it hasnt affected me so....

 

[Saltyreef]

I know this was talked about before and read old threads on the topic. From my reading and understanding, an increase in flow and skimming helps. The reason I'm starting this is to ask if there is a way to get rid of this without a skimmer?

I'm running a fluval evo 13.5, sicce 1.0 return, a wave maker on lowest setting, fliter floss, carbon, cheato, but no skimmer. Phosphate. 03, 20 nitrate, 8.1ph, I am low on mag 1020, 400 calcium, 9 dkh, using reef crystals.

Thanks for any responses

Carbon always helped keep that slick off the top in my tank. So does surface skimming.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I know this was talked about before and read old threads on the topic. From my reading and understanding, an increase in flow and skimming helps. The reason I'm starting this is to ask if there is a way to get rid of this without a skimmer?

I'm running a fluval evo 13.5, sicce 1.0 return, a wave maker on lowest setting, fliter floss, carbon, cheato, but no skimmer. Phosphate. 03, 20 nitrate, 8.1ph, I am low on mag 1020, 400 calcium, 9 dkh, using reef crystals.

Thanks for any responses

If you have an overflow, the rate of flow is not fast enough and may be due to height of water exceeding the overflow as it should be running like water over a dam. and often due to water coming to overflow faster than the pump can deliver water back to the tank. If no overflow, you can aim flow towards water surface but a hang on power filter may help

 

[Reeflix]

surface skimming didnt work, i am running carbon but is doing nothing

 

[rp2763]

If you have an overflow, the rate of flow is not fast enough and may be due to height of water exceeding the overflow as it should be running like water over a dam. and often due to water coming to overflow faster than the pump can deliver water back to the tank. If no overflow, you can aim flow towards water surface but a hang on power filter may help

That's not a bad idea. I can try to lower the water level a bit to see if that helps. Is there a media or a different type of floss that I could use to try to grab it?

 

[Saltyreef]

surface skimming didnt work, i am running carbon but is doing nothing

This is an open ended answer.

Please specify further.

How are you running carbon?

How are you surface skimmimg? What size box and whats the footprint if your tank?

 

[Reefing102]

Generally adding surface agitation is what works best if you don’t have a surface skimmer (like from an overflow or canister filter intake

 

[Miami Reef]

More surface agitation pointing toward the overflows.

 

[Saltyreef]

That's not a bad idea. I can try to lower the water level a bit to see if that helps. Is there a media or a different type of floss that I could use to try to grab it?

How is your media setup in the back?

Have you ever removed and cleaned the center chambers sponge?
They sell media baskets you could likely find a filter sock holder and use that.
A fine micron always polished water better than poly stuffing floss.

 

[vetteguy53081]

That's not a bad idea. I can try to lower the water level a bit to see if that helps. Is there a media or a different type of floss that I could use to try to grab it?

It will depend on tank configuration. I use filter socks but many, carbon/carbon doser, refugium. algae scrubbers and so forth.

 

[rp2763]

How is your media setup in the back?

Have you ever removed and cleaned the center chambers sponge?
They sell media baskets you could likely find a filter sock holder and use that.
A fine micron always polished water better than poly stuffing floss.

I am running media baskets in chamber 1 and 2. Filter floss on top, brs rox .08 carbon under floss. Chamber 2, chaeto

 

[rp2763]

I am running media baskets in chamber 1 and 2. Filter floss on top, brs rox .08 carbon under floss. Chamber 2, chaeto

With that said, my ato keeps the level a bit high so the water doesn't act like a waterfall. I hope that's the answer

 

[Saltyreef]

With that said, my ato keeps the level a bit high so the water doesn't act like a waterfall. I hope that's the answer

yeah it can be tricky to get the flow just right but your tanks pump should be properly sized for the water level and flow already since its a package system.

 

[Dan_P]

I know this was talked about before and read old threads on the topic. From my reading and understanding, an increase in flow and skimming helps. The reason I'm starting this is to ask if there is a way to get rid of this without a skimmer?

I'm running a fluval evo 13.5, sicce 1.0 return, a wave maker on lowest setting, fliter floss, carbon, cheato, but no skimmer. Phosphate. 03, 20 nitrate, 8.1ph, I am low on mag 1020, 400 calcium, 9 dkh, using reef crystals.

Thanks for any responses

This is probably a microorganism growth, possibly more than one species. My macro algae pond develops this ocassionally. To get rid of it I drop in an air stone for a couple hours and this clears. If this an annoying recurring thing for you, increase the water surface agitation.

 

[Reeflix]

This is an open ended answer.

Please specify further.

How are you running carbon?

How are you surface skimmimg? What size box and whats the footprint if your tank?

ok so i have a lot of surface movement, i dont mind it being there if its not bad, the tank is a 75 gallon if thats what you mean.

 

[rp2763]

This is probably a microorganism growth, possibly more than one species. My macro algae pond develops this ocassionally. To get rid of it I drop in an air stone for a couple hours and this clears. If this an annoying recurring thing for you, increase the water surface agitation.

That's another good idea. I'll try that next. Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

surface skimming didnt work, i am running carbon but is doing nothing

What do you mean it didn’t work?

What does surface skimming mean to you?

Water flowing into an overflow should remove it if the surface water motion is adequate.

 

[Reeflix]

well i skim the water in different ways they do work but it just comes back in a day, i dont have a overflow but the flow on the top is a lot but it wont break it up

 

[Saltyreef]

well i skim the water in different ways they do work but it just comes back in a day, i dont have a overflow but the flow on the top is a lot but it wont break it up

Surface skimming refers to an overflow setup that intakes water at the surface.

Protien skimming is something completely different but serves the same purpose to rid waste.