I'm switching my FO tank to a reef. I have a 55 gallon with a fluval 404 running. I've got a 4 inch sandbed that's been in for 2 months. There is around 40lbs of LR. My amonia is 0. Temp is 79. I have two penguin 550 power heads going in addition to the fluval for current. I've got turbos, astreas, scarlet and blue leg hermits, a green and brown brittle star, sand sifter star, naso tang, 2 perc clowns, a fire fish, and a singapore angel. Over the last month, I've noticed that the surface of my water has a brownish layer of scum on it. I pointed one of the power heads at the surface to break through, but the stuff remains. It looks like crap and is blocking out some of the light. I have three 48inch floresent lights that came with the tank. I don't have a skimmer, and I need "reef" lighting, both of which are on my to do list. Any clues? Do I need to do some water changes? I have always used tap water, but after reading about reefs, it looks like RO is the way to go. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Scum?
- Thread starter cybball
- Start date
A protien skimmer and a surface skimmer will both help reduce the surface scum. The surface skimmers break it up and prevent it from forming, and the protien skimmers reduce the amount of gunk available to become scum.
Thanks. Never heard of a surface skimmer. Sounds like the skimmers at the pool I used to lifeguard at. Same principal anyway. I'll eventually have the protein skimmer, so that will help. Will this harm the tank? I won't have the funds for the skimmer or lighting for quite some time. I don't have corals or any light sensitive creatures yet. My coraline algae is doing really well though, which looks really cool.
The surface skimmer is actually a box that sits inside th tank--usually used in conjunction with a sump, as a means of getting the water out of the main tank. You can get attachments for some power filters to skim water from teh surface.
The scum isn't really a big problem, as long as there is enough surface movement to allow for gas exchange.
The scum isn't really a big problem, as long as there is enough surface movement to allow for gas exchange.
Thanks Orion. This website has been very helpful. The fun of the hobby is learning about the hobby. I've got lots more to learn though.
I have a Fluval 404 and got one of these:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=25207&category_id=2631&pcid1=1971
It hooks into the intake and sucks water from the surface, and the water column both. It keeps the scum off the surface. It was a leftover from my freshwater days, but I still use it and just put carbon and chemipure in my fluval. This surface skimmer doesn't take up as much room as skimmer boxes that hook into a protein skimmer, at least an AquaC Remora skimmer box. This one's cheaper too.
Also highly recommend a protein skimmer.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=25207&category_id=2631&pcid1=1971
It hooks into the intake and sucks water from the surface, and the water column both. It keeps the scum off the surface. It was a leftover from my freshwater days, but I still use it and just put carbon and chemipure in my fluval. This surface skimmer doesn't take up as much room as skimmer boxes that hook into a protein skimmer, at least an AquaC Remora skimmer box. This one's cheaper too.
Also highly recommend a protein skimmer.
Thanks. Didn't know they made those. I may give it a try. I'm definately going to get a skimmer within the next year or so. Just short on money right now. Skimmer, lights, and some more LR and I'll be good to go.