not so clear surface...

im_a_tidyman

im_a_tidyman

AC Members
Mar 15, 2007
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London UK
i thought i understood that a skimmer makes the surface of your water clear, my tank however, which is 48 UK GALLONS and contains just 2 clowns still has a oily looking surface. above all, i dont understand how it would remove the surface water as it is a deltec mce and hang-on, and the water is sucked up from under the surface. plus its still shooting out micro bubbles, so its only on at night, could this affect the surface?
 
I think you misunderstood.

A protein skimmer does remove DOCs from the water, but you need something to actually skim the water to remove them from the surface so the protein skimmer can remove them from the water.

For me, my overflow box does my surface skimming function. Some HOB skimmers have an optional "surface skimmer" attachment which is just a box with slits in it that goes around the intake tube.
 
you probably don't have your skimmer working properly. They do skim the water, which does in turn make the surface clearer because what your seeing on the top of the water is a film of dissolved proteins which is what your skimmer does indeed skim.

I'm not sure on the exact skimmer you mentioned, but if its a cheapo you might look into a more expensive one that is better suited for your tank. If not, it may just be breaking in, or you may have to fiddle with it to get it working properly, especially with the micro bubbles.
 
Ace25 said:
I think you misunderstood.

A protein skimmer does remove DOCs from the water, but you need something to actually skim the water to remove them from the surface so the protein skimmer can remove them from the water.

For me, my overflow box does my surface skimming function. Some HOB skimmers have an optional "surface skimmer" attachment which is just a box with slits in it that goes around the intake tube.
Click to expand...


I also agree with what he has said here, but in reality.. a well working skimmer should accomplish the same goal.
 
i didnt get no attachment with a box on it, although it sound like a good idea, the reason i bought a hang on is bcos i dont have an over flow to a sump. which im sure is the case for many, so indeed out surface isnt getting skimmed, the deltec range isnt by any mean "cheap" and apparently does a great job, also, it IS just breaking in, the micros arnt an issue, i just turn it on at night for the moment, i was just wondering if bcos i only have it on at night, that might be the cause of the surface muck. so thanks for all ur help, but anyone got any ideas for what i can do? i didnt get no box, and i dont have no overflow........
 
as a VERY last resort, wud a air pump in there for a few days get rid of it? im sure the flow will push em around making my tank look awful!
 
in fact, i have an attachment on the intake, but i presumed it was to stop the fish swimming up there, it isnt a box, its just sort of a grill,

wen i go, water changes, if i lower the water to the grill, it stops sucking the water up there, so i dont think its there for the ~"surface".
 
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