Surface Scum

calli · 03/11/2009, 03:43 PM

Just wondering how I get the surface scum off the top of my water?

The skimmer does not seem to be grabbing that...

Any tips?

mustang51js · 03/11/2009, 03:48 PM

do you have a overflow box, i had the same problem and had to raise the box up so the water would fall into it more, and i have a powerhead pointed a little toward the surface and its all good

calli · 03/11/2009, 03:51 PM

overflow box? you mean going to a sump?

I don't have a sump... Just a Skimmer and 2 powerheads.. I am looking in to 2 phosban reactors.. one for Carbon and one for Phosphate remover.

Juruense · 03/11/2009, 03:52 PM

Point a powerhead at the surface.

jhoff · 03/11/2009, 03:54 PM

Aquarium surface skimmer drs foster & smith part#CD-21212 $9.99

calli · 03/11/2009, 03:56 PM

I have a powerhead pointed there.. it just pushes all the scum to the other side.... :-D

davewbush · 03/11/2009, 04:54 PM

Use a fish net to skim it out. Once its out and the power heads are aiming up, it should stay away.

todd141 · 03/11/2009, 05:27 PM

I don't have a sump either, but what I do is use a Fluval 405 with no sponges, some filter floss in the bottom (changed every 3 days) and some carbon/chemi-pure and rowaphos in a couple of the other trays.

Anyway, I bought the fluval surface skimmer and it works great keeping the surface clean. Plus, the 405 add some water movement which is a plus.

I also have 3 koralia 3's with 2 of them agitating the surface and a Reef Octopus BH300F skimmer that has a surface skimmer built in to it.

03/11/2009, 03:43 PM	#1
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	Surface Scum Just wondering how I get the surface scum off the top of my water? The skimmer does not seem to be grabbing that... Any tips?

03/11/2009, 03:48 PM	#2
mustang51js Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: haskell, n.j. Posts: 593	do you have a overflow box, i had the same problem and had to raise the box up so the water would fall into it more, and i have a powerhead pointed a little toward the surface and its all good __________________ george 50g corner reef yellow tang Current Tank Info: temp 90g reef,2 4bulb t5 lights-

03/11/2009, 05:27 PM	#8
todd141 Golf Nut Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Centerville, OH Posts: 385	I don't have a sump either, but what I do is use a Fluval 405 with no sponges, some filter floss in the bottom (changed every 3 days) and some carbon/chemi-pure and rowaphos in a couple of the other trays. Anyway, I bought the fluval surface skimmer and it works great keeping the surface clean. Plus, the 405 add some water movement which is a plus. I also have 3 koralia 3's with 2 of them agitating the surface and a Reef Octopus BH300F skimmer that has a surface skimmer built in to it. __________________ This is my fancy signature..... Current Tank Info: 75 gallon; Lifereef overflow; 18 gallon acrylic sump

03/11/2009, 03:51 PM	#3
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	overflow box? you mean going to a sump? I don't have a sump... Just a Skimmer and 2 powerheads.. I am looking in to 2 phosban reactors.. one for Carbon and one for Phosphate remover.

03/11/2009, 03:52 PM	#4
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Point a powerhead at the surface.

03/11/2009, 03:54 PM	#5
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	Aquarium surface skimmer drs foster & smith part#CD-21212 $9.99

03/11/2009, 03:56 PM	#6
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	I have a powerhead pointed there.. it just pushes all the scum to the other side.... :-D

03/11/2009, 04:54 PM	#7
davewbush ... Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 739	Use a fish net to skim it out. Once its out and the power heads are aiming up, it should stay away.