How do I get rid of the film that seems to be on the top of the water?

fast57 · 06/11/2010, 10:14 AM

I have a drilled 125 that's been setup for about a month and a half. It looks like a film is on the top of the water. How do I get rid of it? Is it a flow problem? Since it doesn't have overflow boxes is that the problem? I had a 45 with an overflow box setup for about 5 years and never had this problem. What do I do?

rezaktp · 06/11/2010, 10:18 AM

You need some surface skimming that overflow boxes take care of. You can try directing a powerhead to breakup the surface. If you do not have overflow boxes how are you taking care of filtration?

Jstdv8 · 06/11/2010, 10:24 AM

more surface aggitation by use of powerheads

Palting · 06/11/2010, 10:24 AM

I don't get it. Drilled, but no overflow?

fast57 · 06/11/2010, 11:14 AM

I have 2 overflow pipes but they actually are just under the waters surface. I have a pretty strong pumpfor the tank and to maximize the flow to the sump they need to be pretty much under the surface of the water.

fast57 · 06/11/2010, 11:15 AM

So I should aim a powerhead towards the surface a little? I'm just looking to get like a surface ripple or something?

gweston · 06/11/2010, 11:48 AM

Yep, powerheads directed at an angle towards the surface are enough to cause agitation and break up the surface slime.

You could consider building a DIY surface skimmer and run it from your overflow pipes. Basically take some PVC pipe cut to length, cut notches/teeth on one end, and slip it into the current overflow pipe. No gluing/cementing required. You'd need to balance your return vs the overflow rate so you are skimming from the surface. Some ball valve(s) on your return(s) and/or from the pump can do that.

fast57 · 06/11/2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gweston

Yep, powerheads directed at an angle towards the surface are enough to cause agitation and break up the surface slime.

You could consider building a DIY surface skimmer and run it from your overflow pipes. Basically take some PVC pipe cut to length, cut notches/teeth on one end, and slip it into the current overflow pipe. No gluing/cementing required. You'd need to balance your return vs the overflow rate so you are skimming from the surface. Some ball valve(s) on your return(s) and/or from the pump can do that.

true... i never thought about that. i just wonder if there would be any kind of sucking sound even with durso pipes on the back. and id deffinetly have to put a screen of some kind across them so nothing got sucked in.

mgdth · 06/11/2010, 01:39 PM

Do you know what the film is? I have heard that some putty that reef enthusiasts use to bind rocks/corals releases oils into the water that accumulate at the waters surface creating a film...

sruiz · 06/11/2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I don't get it. Drilled, but no overflow?

Not all drilled tanks use an overflow "box"

I have the same set up on my current tank and a power head closer to the top should do the trick.

fast57 · 06/11/2010, 10:57 PM

I preferred getting one wotout boxes in the corners

Palting · 06/11/2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sruiz

Not all drilled tanks use an overflow "box"

I have the same set up on my current tank and a power head closer to the top should do the trick.

Got it. Thanks. Yes, in that case, anything to create flow/disturbance to the surface to bring that slime back into the water column so it can get filtered should work.

06/11/2010, 10:14 AM	#1
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	How do I get rid of the film that seems to be on the top of the water? I have a drilled 125 that's been setup for about a month and a half. It looks like a film is on the top of the water. How do I get rid of it? Is it a flow problem? Since it doesn't have overflow boxes is that the problem? I had a 45 with an overflow box setup for about 5 years and never had this problem. What do I do?

06/11/2010, 10:18 AM	#2
rezaktp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 1,407	You need some surface skimming that overflow boxes take care of. You can try directing a powerhead to breakup the surface. If you do not have overflow boxes how are you taking care of filtration? __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: 180g. Reef w/8-80w t-5's, 70g. Rubbermaid basement sump w/10g. fuge, APEX, Reef Octopus SRO 2000 Skimmer, 1/3hp Aqualogic chiller, 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV, BRS 2-part w/2-Drews Dosers, 4-MP40wES

06/11/2010, 10:24 AM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I don't get it. Drilled, but no overflow? __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

06/11/2010, 01:39 PM	#9
mgdth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 108	Do you know what the film is? I have heard that some putty that reef enthusiasts use to bind rocks/corals releases oils into the water that accumulate at the waters surface creating a film... __________________ For my next tank, I will build a house around it... Current Tank Info: 125 Mixed Reef

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06/11/2010, 10:24 AM	#3
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	more surface aggitation by use of powerheads

06/11/2010, 11:14 AM	#5
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	I have 2 overflow pipes but they actually are just under the waters surface. I have a pretty strong pumpfor the tank and to maximize the flow to the sump they need to be pretty much under the surface of the water.

06/11/2010, 11:15 AM	#6
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	So I should aim a powerhead towards the surface a little? I'm just looking to get like a surface ripple or something?

06/11/2010, 11:48 AM	#7
gweston Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 961	Yep, powerheads directed at an angle towards the surface are enough to cause agitation and break up the surface slime. You could consider building a DIY surface skimmer and run it from your overflow pipes. Basically take some PVC pipe cut to length, cut notches/teeth on one end, and slip it into the current overflow pipe. No gluing/cementing required. You'd need to balance your return vs the overflow rate so you are skimming from the surface. Some ball valve(s) on your return(s) and/or from the pump can do that.

06/11/2010, 10:57 PM	#11
fast57 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: southside of chicago Posts: 667	I preferred getting one wotout boxes in the corners