Spray bar, surface skimmer, or both??

[PikeLee]

Hey guys,

I have some surface scum that’s getting to me. I’m thinking of getting a spray bar and the surface skimmer that they make for my fluval 404. Does anyone think both products together would be overkill?

It’s going in my 90g (non-CO2).

PS. I just got my digi cam so I’ll be putting up picks soon. Thanks to those that helped me when I was redoing it.

[Aquafreak]

Either one of them should be fine, the surface skimmer eg. Eheim surface extractor does a very good job providing that you don't have floating plant matter, otherwise it gets stuck real fast and starts to cause a rattling noise. A spray bar above or just at the surface would be a good option too, if your not adding CO2 and heavily planted then that would be a viable option.

Out of the 2 I'd probably stick with surface extrator because it actually sucks in the surface scum instead of blowing it about like a spray bar, if spray bar is submerged then you'd just get the surface scum on the other side of the tank.

There's some of my experience, HTH.

[djlen]

Don't get either, especially if you intend to use CO2 in the future.
Pick up a Black Mollie female or two and you'll be amazed at the job she will do on surface scum. I have one in my open top 55 and she keeps it immaculate.
Len

[odessa]

djlen,

I don't believe that a suface extactor will affect C02 levels in any way all they do is suck in water off the surface, They don't create much surface distubance if any. i'm using one at the moment and havent noticed any loss of c02 levels.

[125gJoe]

Here's a nice 'invention' from Tyler718...

Hope it links: Skimmer (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=5845&highlight=skimmer)

[PikeLee]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m just going to order both the skimmer and the spray bar. I don’t plan on using CO2 at all in the future . I’m having a hard time with CO2 in my 30g gallon, what more in a 90g.

I would put some black mollies in there, but I think I have enough fish in there as it is. Maybe at a later time. I kind of went crazy with getting too many cardinals. I still have to find some room for my apistos or rams I plan on getting.

The invention that tyler718 used is similar to the one that I’m getting from fluval. My tank is doing okay now, but I think it’ll do a lot better once the scum is out of the way. I felt that it’s blocking light (only 160W) and preventing gas exchange. Plus I’ve read several articles from this forum and others that the surface movement is good for non CO2 tanks.

Thanks a bunc and I'll let you guys know how I make out.