Breaking waters surface?

[rob020880]

I was wondering if it is necessary to have a break in your waters surface? I can create a break using my return but was thinking the overflow would be more effective if the return lines were pointed down giving more flow deeper in the tank. I guess the main concern would be oxygen in the water, but my water drops down about 6" in the overflow, and I use a large skimmer. Would this be sufficient or is having a break on the surface better? What are pros and cons of both?

[taillonjohn]

if the water surface is stagnant, then oils and bacteria's and stuff will collect on the water surface, which will cause a problem with gas exchange (oxygen), and may filter the lights. its important to have turbulance on the water surface to push that stuff back into the water so your skimmer can take it out

[bach2pilot]

I agree with taillonjohn, but it also depends on your setup. What size overflow do you have?

IMO - with a good skimmer, you should have plenty of oxygen in your water.

[rob020880]

My tank is a quarter cylinder corner tank which is 130gal. The overflow covers the entire corner and is pretty large. I was thinking that the overflow would be more effective if the surface did not break. The stuff that would gather on the top would just go into the overflow and not be pushed back into the system by the return flow.

[rob020880]

Anyone else have any advice regarding the surface water?

[webbstock]

Since you have an overflow, that should keep the surface scum free. As the water falls from the overflow to the sump through the skimmer etc. that will provide plenty gas exchange.

[bertoni]

I always pointer a powerhead or two at the surface to get a good rippling action. The rippling seems to break up the surface film of oils, etc, well enough. The overflow might do that job, though, as stated.

[rob020880]

So basically because of my over flow I do not need to break the waters surface, and need not worry about oxygen levels, right?

[bertoni]

I wouldn't go that far. If enough of a film develops on the surface of the water, that might interfere with gas exchange. Skimmers can do a lot, too, but I'd make sure the water surface isn't getting filthy. The overflow might do the job. That's not always the case, though.

I don't know what you mean by "break the water surface".

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by rob020880
Anyone else have any advice regarding the surface water?

I have three korilias and a maxijet in my 110 gal. One of the korilas is dedicated to churning up the surface water

[Aquarist007]

I am also puzzled by "break the water surface" I am assuming you mean causing turbulance which is desirable??

If you mean breaking the flow--this is what I use the maxijet on a wave timer for

[celano]

Another concern would be if the power goes out. If your return line is pointed down in the tank wont it continue to siphon water out of the display until the water surface is broken? If you have enough room in your sump it wouldnt be a problem though.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by celano
Another concern would be if the power goes out. If your return line is pointed down in the tank wont it continue to siphon water out of the display until the water surface is broken? If you have enough room in your sump it wouldnt be a problem though.

the cure for that is to drill a small 1/8 inch hole under one of the loc lines near the top or surface. When the water level reaches it on a power failure the air hole will break the siphon.

[rob020880]

Is 1/8" enough?

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by rob020880
Is 1/8" enough?

yes, but test it out regularily--shut off your pump and see how high the water rises in the sump and always leave that margin,

nothing is 100 per cent foolproof --you need to regularily test this because the hole can get clogged with algae for eg