Scum on top of the tank

[trhbay]

I am 3 months in to my first SW tank. I have a 46 gallon bowfront that will be a FOWLR setup.

I have a VIA Aqua 750 filter with a Aquarium Systems Maxi-Jet 600 powerhead. I just added a Red Sea Prizim Deluxe protein skimmer abot 2 weeks ago.

My tank currently has 20lbs. of LR and 4 Damsels plus 8 snails and 2 Hermit Crabs.

My main problem is a film (looks like pond scum) on the top of the water. The tank is clear besides this scum on the top.

Any suggestions??

Thanks for this great forum and your help!

[Slatts]

Get another powerhead and point it at the surface. I use a maxi 900 for my 44gl pentagon. Welcome to a great forum.

[thoap]

What is a FOWLR setup? What does the acronym stand for? I notice there are a lot of acronyms on the forum. Is there a thread that explains most of them? Thanks

[theevoys]

FOWLR - Fish Only With Live Rock
FO - Fish Only
LS - Live Sand
LR - Live Rock
LFS - Local Fish Store
RO - Reverse Osmosis? (water)

I hope those are right considering I just learned them a couple weeks ago myself. :)

[theevoys]

And a couple more for you

HOT/HOB - Hang on Tank/ Back
UGF - Underground Filter
AC - Aquaria Central :D
WPG - Watts per Gallon

There are many more like LOL, IME, IMO, but you may already know those. They don't have anything to do with fish.
Jason

[CHughes]

The scum on the surface is excess proteins. Considering you have just added your skimmer it will likely take a while to clean up the tank. Skimmers take about a week to break in before they become efficient. So keep cleaning the collection cup and let her rip!

You should be fine in a week or 2. You may want to increase the amount of LR. Ideally, you should have 1 to 1 1/2 lbs LR per gallon to help the bio filtration.