Film on Water Surface

aquatichypnosis · 12/17/2014, 05:31 PM

Set-up a 75 gal 9 days ago. Using a Marineland C530 Canister Filter, Reef Octopus BH 90 HOB Skimmer and Hydor Koralia 1500 powerhead. Ive noticed there is a fine milky film on the surface of the water that you can notice when looking up at surface through the tank. This morning a added a little fish flake for ammonia during cycling and coming home from work I noticed some of those food particles still hadn't sunk. I did a small water change a few days ago to see if it would make a difference skimming water from the surface to replace. The Filter did seem to have a lot of silicone lubricant on the o-rings and connections. Could this be what it is? How long should it take to clear. Is it harmful? Skimmer right now is on the 30 gal until i transport old crew over to the new tank. Would skimming take care of this? Thanks.

OnceTrueFalseBr · 12/17/2014, 05:54 PM

Do you have an overflow box setup?

aquatichypnosis · 12/17/2014, 06:01 PM

No, it's just a canister filter and hang on back protein skimmer

OnceTrueFalseBr · 12/17/2014, 06:42 PM

Yea that will be part of your tank setup. Surface skimming happens when you have some sort pof overflow box or surface skimming setup.

Maybe hookup a hob overflow box to go to your filter?

Im not too knowledgeable on that but could be a solution...

Jus my guess.

DragRacinGramps · 12/17/2014, 06:47 PM

I use an aqua c remora pre filter box that my intake to my skimmer draws it's water from it works real well.

Greaser84 · 12/17/2014, 07:04 PM

Sounds like you have a bio film forming on the water surface, its a build up of protein from organic waste. Surface agitation will eliminate that problem. Try pointing the powerhead up towards the surface a bit.

ReeferIndy · 12/18/2014, 06:37 AM

Agree. I use at least 1 extra powerhead at the surface. The agitation keeps the film from forming.

pyithar · 12/18/2014, 07:30 AM

+1 on surface agitation and pointing the powerhead somewhat towards the water surface.

Hojo220 · 12/18/2014, 08:50 AM

I had the same issue, Purchased a "Toms surface Skimmer" for about $6. My tank and surface are now Very Clear.

Some slight modifications may be required if the toms pipe doesn't fit into your existing Overflow box, but nothing a bit of caulking cant fix. Be sure to use the right (aquarium approved) caulking. I think it is GE Silicone I (not II)

SGT_York · 12/18/2014, 10:16 AM

Point the powerhead to hit the surface and push the water towards your overflow (skimmer) That helps. Best long term solution is a better overflow but that is a difficult change.

For short term usea papertowel by laying it over the film and picking it up removes all of the oils.

12/17/2014, 05:31 PM	#1
aquatichypnosis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 35	Film on Water Surface Set-up a 75 gal 9 days ago. Using a Marineland C530 Canister Filter, Reef Octopus BH 90 HOB Skimmer and Hydor Koralia 1500 powerhead. Ive noticed there is a fine milky film on the surface of the water that you can notice when looking up at surface through the tank. This morning a added a little fish flake for ammonia during cycling and coming home from work I noticed some of those food particles still hadn't sunk. I did a small water change a few days ago to see if it would make a difference skimming water from the surface to replace. The Filter did seem to have a lot of silicone lubricant on the o-rings and connections. Could this be what it is? How long should it take to clear. Is it harmful? Skimmer right now is on the 30 gal until i transport old crew over to the new tank. Would skimming take care of this? Thanks.

12/17/2014, 06:47 PM	#5
DragRacinGramps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: S.E. MI Posts: 152	I use an aqua c remora pre filter box that my intake to my skimmer draws it's water from it works real well. __________________ 75g mixed, t5 4 bulb,eshopps 100h,gfo/carbon reactors,UV, 2-3" bed 16 head frogspawn,12 head hammer,trumpet,brain LPS,orange mushroom,kenya tree,finger leather,spaghetti leather,zoos,gsp,toadstool. Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon Freshwater planted, and a 75 gallon sumpless mixed reef

12/18/2014, 07:30 AM	#8
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	+1 on surface agitation and pointing the powerhead somewhat towards the water surface. __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

12/17/2014, 05:54 PM	#2
OnceTrueFalseBr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York City Posts: 355	Do you have an overflow box setup?

12/17/2014, 06:01 PM	#3
aquatichypnosis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 35	No, it's just a canister filter and hang on back protein skimmer

12/17/2014, 06:42 PM	#4
OnceTrueFalseBr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York City Posts: 355	Yea that will be part of your tank setup. Surface skimming happens when you have some sort pof overflow box or surface skimming setup. Maybe hookup a hob overflow box to go to your filter? Im not too knowledgeable on that but could be a solution... Jus my guess.

12/17/2014, 07:04 PM	#6
Greaser84 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 18	Sounds like you have a bio film forming on the water surface, its a build up of protein from organic waste. Surface agitation will eliminate that problem. Try pointing the powerhead up towards the surface a bit.

12/18/2014, 06:37 AM	#7
ReeferIndy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 8	Agree. I use at least 1 extra powerhead at the surface. The agitation keeps the film from forming.

12/18/2014, 08:50 AM	#9
Hojo220 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 36	I had the same issue, Purchased a "Toms surface Skimmer" for about $6. My tank and surface are now Very Clear. Some slight modifications may be required if the toms pipe doesn't fit into your existing Overflow box, but nothing a bit of caulking cant fix. Be sure to use the right (aquarium approved) caulking. I think it is GE Silicone I (not II)

12/18/2014, 10:16 AM	#10
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	Point the powerhead to hit the surface and push the water towards your overflow (skimmer) That helps. Best long term solution is a better overflow but that is a difficult change. For short term usea papertowel by laying it over the film and picking it up removes all of the oils.