clear oily film on water surface?

S

Soccer

AC Members
May 14, 2002
62
0
0
37
Guelph, Ontario
Visit site
I recently added a Prism skimmer to my 30g reef tank and I am noticing a clear oily transparent film on top of my water surface. It just recently happened after adding the skimmer. I will test my water params tonight but any clue what it could be? Finally I don't have much surface movement more movement under the water. Any clue as to what I could add to help this? I am worried there isn't enough oxygen in the water could this be a probleme???

Thanx in advance b;)
 
The oily surface seems to result whenever there isn't adequate surface movement, rather than in association with some other condition. Couple of solutions: aim a powerhead so it hits the opposite wall close to the surface, or get an overflow skimmer (takes the water from the surface and feeds it into an external filter/refugium/sump). Either one will work. Don't worry too much about it--the scum is ugly, but not bad.
 
I made a DIY surface skimmer attachement for my prism skimmer. Works really well as long as your water level is fairly constant. To do that I made a DIY water top off duh... I'm a univ student with hardly any income, so budget is tight for my reef tank right now.

Heres a link to my surface skimmer

DIY Surface Skimmer

I'll probaly put instructions for my DIY top off in a couple weeks on my reading week. It was real easy. PM me if you want them earlier.
 
Usually its just proteins collecting on the surface. If you can't get enough surface agitation to help break it up, I've heard some people just take paper towels and soak it up off the surface.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom