Surface skimmers... any good

[ausername]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone uses a skimmer like fluvals? I'm finding alot of dust and surface crud on my tanks. It upsets me as my water is crystal clear.. Will that stuff make it tougher for the water to get oxygenated. I'm trying to minimize my surface agitation as i have diy co2. I know alot of people say there not and good on fw setups but i dunno what else to do. I just ditched the hob filter and never wanna go back

 

[Daudzegier]

If you woried about surface agitation then dont do it. the mor contact there is with the surface of the water with any object the more chance for agitation there is. If your water is so clean its clear, then just scoop out the floating debris with a net on an as need basis.

 

[Marinemom]

Sometimes debris will collect on the surface of the water if there is not enough surface aggitation. Even in a planted tank you can have some surface aggitation, you just do not want it to be like a raging river. You also want enough surface aggitation to create oxygen for the fish in the tank. If the debris collects on the surface of the water you can just manually remove it.

Marinemom

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Does it look like a thin film? If it does then you need more agitation.

 

[ausername]

yeah its a bit of a thin film i think it may be from the fats and oils in the foods. theres the odd plant bit i'm not so worried about.. the film is to thin to skim with a net or my hand.

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Yep, you need more agitation. I think that's just from the foods like you said. The CO2 should be fine with some agitation, plus your fish will need it. Does it have the sheen that oil has? Like is is kind of reflective?