Removing Film

akopley · 07/10/2008, 09:55 AM

Is there anyway other than having an overflow box to remove the layer of film that builds up at the top of the water?

Slayer311 · 07/10/2008, 10:07 AM

You can use a paper towel and run it all around the surface of the water, they also make an overflow type adapter for canister and HOB filters, its a float pipe that pulls the water that feeds the filter from the surface rather than just below the surface, fairly easy addition costing around 10-20 bucks.

akopley · 07/10/2008, 10:11 AM

i dont have a canister or HOB on my tank is there any specific equipment made to do this job or any DIY stuff? I have been searching on marinedepot and cant find anything specifically for my cause.

besl · 07/10/2008, 10:15 AM

Aim the power heads to break the surface tension which will return the surface skum back into the water column so that it can be removed by the filtration system.

akopley · 07/10/2008, 10:17 AM

thats what i have been doing and it does work but i like the view from above without the ripple effect caused by a powerhead.

Flightpipe · 07/10/2008, 10:38 AM

What is you filtration?

Michael · 07/10/2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by akopley
thats what i have been doing and it does work but i like the view from above without the ripple effect caused by a powerhead.

i think its best to have the surface rippling, aids oxygen and keeps the ph stable

besl · 07/10/2008, 10:42 AM

Agreed. Important to break surface tension for adequate gas exchange.

snorvich · 07/10/2008, 11:12 AM

+1 with both of the above posts. Gas exchange is important.

akopley · 07/10/2008, 11:57 AM

i have a hydor flow so it does break the surface during its rotation but to get the full clean top effect i have to have a maxi constantly breaking the surface tension. For filtration i have 60 lbs of well established LR 30 lbs LS and i recently installed a Coralife SuperSkimmer 65 HOB, which is pulling out some dark skimmate already.

07/10/2008, 09:55 AM	#1
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	Removing Film Is there anyway other than having an overflow box to remove the layer of film that builds up at the top of the water?

07/10/2008, 10:15 AM	#4
besl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston-burb, MA Posts: 800	Aim the power heads to break the surface tension which will return the surface skum back into the water column so that it can be removed by the filtration system. __________________ Why did kamakazi pilots wear helmets? Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, 260W CF, 60 lbs LR, CC base, 7 fish, 10 corals, Aquafuge - chaetomorpha & grape

07/10/2008, 10:38 AM	#6
Flightpipe Sea Turtles Love Me...... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL. Posts: 745	What is you filtration? __________________ "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." Current Tank Info: 29 BC Reef

07/10/2008, 10:42 AM	#8
besl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston-burb, MA Posts: 800	Agreed. Important to break surface tension for adequate gas exchange. __________________ Why did kamakazi pilots wear helmets? Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, 260W CF, 60 lbs LR, CC base, 7 fish, 10 corals, Aquafuge - chaetomorpha & grape

07/10/2008, 11:12 AM	#9
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	+1 with both of the above posts. Gas exchange is important. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/10/2008, 10:07 AM	#2
Slayer311 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 201	You can use a paper towel and run it all around the surface of the water, they also make an overflow type adapter for canister and HOB filters, its a float pipe that pulls the water that feeds the filter from the surface rather than just below the surface, fairly easy addition costing around 10-20 bucks.

07/10/2008, 10:11 AM	#3
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	i dont have a canister or HOB on my tank is there any specific equipment made to do this job or any DIY stuff? I have been searching on marinedepot and cant find anything specifically for my cause.

07/10/2008, 10:17 AM	#5
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	thats what i have been doing and it does work but i like the view from above without the ripple effect caused by a powerhead.

07/10/2008, 11:57 AM	#10
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	i have a hydor flow so it does break the surface during its rotation but to get the full clean top effect i have to have a maxi constantly breaking the surface tension. For filtration i have 60 lbs of well established LR 30 lbs LS and i recently installed a Coralife SuperSkimmer 65 HOB, which is pulling out some dark skimmate already.