White film on top of the water

coraladdict · 11/13/2007, 07:44 PM

I have some white film that accumulates at the surface of my tank which I use a 5 micron seeve to get it out .It's not that effective and the film still accumulates at the end of the dayanyway.
What the best way to get rid of this?
Keep in mine I don't have a sump.

Marsfrogie · 11/13/2007, 07:54 PM

You can get a small hang on back filter that is equipped with a surface skimmer for about $30 at drsfostersmith.com or marinedepot. That should pull the film off. You will still have problems with the water level fluctuating though so it might not work all that great and require constant adjustment. Is there any particular reason you don't want to set up a sump?

coraladdict · 11/13/2007, 08:49 PM

Is there any particular reason you don't want to set up a sump?
I don't want to drill holes in the tank.I might put a hang on overflow but heard so many different stories that I think I'll stick with what I have and just skim th etop as I'm doing for now anyway.

msuzuki126 · 11/13/2007, 08:53 PM

An overflow+sump would do the trick.

ReefDreamz · 11/13/2007, 08:53 PM

If you keep a powerhead pointed at the surface of the water it will break up the film.

seapug · 11/13/2007, 09:26 PM

the only way to truly solve the problem is to use some sort of a surface skimming overflow unit, whether it's attached to a powerfilter, protein skimmer or siphon to a sump. Pointing powerheads at the surface will give you one clear spot where it hits the surface, but really just blows it around. It doesn't just look bad, it can really effect light penetration and gas exchange as well.

ufans · 11/13/2007, 09:30 PM

Agree with everyone else. The film is typically protein which needs to be pulled off the surface and filtered out. An overflow and a protein skimmer is the optimal solution. The best performing protein skimmers are large and require a sump. You can use a overflow to prevent drilling.

thor32766 · 11/13/2007, 09:55 PM

yes a box would help. But a powerhead distribing it would help.

coraladdict · 11/14/2007, 08:43 AM

I'll try a powerhead and see what it will do .However if this doesn't work then my only other choice would be an overflow box.
Thanks

Marsfrogie · 11/14/2007, 09:15 AM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=16729

11/13/2007, 07:44 PM	#1
coraladdict Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 646	White film on top of the water I have some white film that accumulates at the surface of my tank which I use a 5 micron seeve to get it out .It's not that effective and the film still accumulates at the end of the dayanyway. What the best way to get rid of this? Keep in mine I don't have a sump. __________________ Experience is a terrible thing to waste Current Tank Info: 120g ,mixed reef , Deltec 600 MCE , 2 VorTechs with BB,Tunze osmolator,Diy Nelson reac.Pacific Sun Hyperion 2

11/13/2007, 08:49 PM	#3
coraladdict Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 646	Is there any particular reason you don't want to set up a sump? I don't want to drill holes in the tank.I might put a hang on overflow but heard so many different stories that I think I'll stick with what I have and just skim th etop as I'm doing for now anyway. __________________ Experience is a terrible thing to waste Current Tank Info: 120g ,mixed reef , Deltec 600 MCE , 2 VorTechs with BB,Tunze osmolator,Diy Nelson reac.Pacific Sun Hyperion 2

11/13/2007, 08:53 PM	#4
msuzuki126 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dutchess County, New York Posts: 1,377	An overflow+sump would do the trick. __________________ Red House=My 90 build. Matt. Current Tank Info: 90 rebuild

11/13/2007, 09:26 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	the only way to truly solve the problem is to use some sort of a surface skimming overflow unit, whether it's attached to a powerfilter, protein skimmer or siphon to a sump. Pointing powerheads at the surface will give you one clear spot where it hits the surface, but really just blows it around. It doesn't just look bad, it can really effect light penetration and gas exchange as well. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

11/13/2007, 09:55 PM	#8
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	yes a box would help. But a powerhead distribing it would help. __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

11/13/2007, 07:54 PM	#2
Marsfrogie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 463	You can get a small hang on back filter that is equipped with a surface skimmer for about $30 at drsfostersmith.com or marinedepot. That should pull the film off. You will still have problems with the water level fluctuating though so it might not work all that great and require constant adjustment. Is there any particular reason you don't want to set up a sump?

11/13/2007, 08:53 PM	#5
ReefDreamz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 436	If you keep a powerhead pointed at the surface of the water it will break up the film.

11/13/2007, 09:30 PM	#7
ufans Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 681	Agree with everyone else. The film is typically protein which needs to be pulled off the surface and filtered out. An overflow and a protein skimmer is the optimal solution. The best performing protein skimmers are large and require a sump. You can use a overflow to prevent drilling.

11/14/2007, 08:43 AM	#9
coraladdict Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 646	I'll try a powerhead and see what it will do .However if this doesn't work then my only other choice would be an overflow box. Thanks __________________ Experience is a terrible thing to waste Current Tank Info: 120g ,mixed reef , Deltec 600 MCE , 2 VorTechs with BB,Tunze osmolator,Diy Nelson reac.Pacific Sun Hyperion 2

11/14/2007, 09:15 AM	#10
Marsfrogie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 463	http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=16729