layer of stuff on the surface of the water...

[big_ben102000]

hi to all. juz a few days back.. i started to realise that there is a layer of stuff on the surface of the water. i am not using a overflow box. i got a pump that pumps water from the main tank into my sump where the skimmer is. any idea how to remove that layer of stuff ?

i got a feeling the skimmer is supposed to remove that layer of stuff..

[jamomatt]

get an overflow box or a surface skimmer

[big_ben102000]

is that layer harmful to the LS in my tank ? i will DIY a overflow system soon. its quite unsightly as well

[Sapp]

That layer is most likely a thin film of oil. Not harmful to the LS but will inhabit surface air exchange with your water thus might lower the water oxygen level in your tank. Overflow system or surface skimmer will solve this problem.

[xersion]

it must be oil.. u look up from bottom its bery clearly seen.. my tank do have oil also no much harm on LS or Coral. An overflow box will be better on removing the oil.

[flamey]

That layer is most likely a thin film of oil. Not harmful to the LS but will inhabit surface air exchange with your water thus might lower the water oxygen level in your tank. Overflow system or surface skimmer will solve this problem.

to add on to what bro sapp had already mentioned, it (oil layer) will definitely affect the penetration of light to ur corals too. its best if u get an overflow box or a surface skimmer..

[big_ben102000]

its more light little particles ###### oil ... nvm i will diy a surface skimmer in awhile .. fix up a overflow box if i have the time .. thanks for the inputs

[mansiz]

That layer is not oil, it is the over excess of dissolve organic compound. You need an over flow to move them into your sump, then your skimmer will do the work. Did you over crowd your tank? What skimmer are you using? All these infos are required, if not the layer of DOC will still be presence even if you invest in an overflow. The layer of DOC will be presence in your sump tank instead.

[big_ben102000]

nah my tank is not overcrowded.. 3 X 1.5 X 1.5

LS

2 colonies of zoas

1 moon coral

1 red sea sailfin

4 common clowns

1 sixline

1 spotted hawk

1 bicolour gamma

using turbo skimmers (cheap ones) run by a 2000L/hr atman pump

only recenlty that layer appeared.. over the last 3 or 4 days... didnt have this problem in the pass

[mansiz]

That layer will appear once your DOC level is high. Check your water level to see if it is below the level that the skimmer can withdraw DOC perfectly. For the time being, you have to use a mug or pail to gently remove the DOC from the surface. Replace the water once you have removed them. It is not possible to remove all of them, but try your best to remove as much as possible.

[big_ben102000]

haha cant remeber watz my skimmer rated at.. but i think it was 100G.. i am using turbo skimmer TS 2000

doubt anyone is using it haha

thanks for all the inputs

[hammy]

That layer will appear once your DOC level is high. Check your water level to see if it is below the level that the skimmer can withdraw DOC perfectly. For the time being, you have to use a mug or pail to gently remove the DOC from the surface. Replace the water once you have removed them. It is not possible to remove all of them, but try your best to remove as much as possible.

DOC is dissolved organic compound which is soluble in water.

the layer of 'stuff' is most likely oil from feeding or simply ur fishes poo.

a surface skimmer or a overflow box will solve the problems.

even if ur DOC is very very low, i can assure you that it will appear after u feed .. say pellet or even frozen mysis or brine.

or even dipping ur hand into ur tank cause that to happen.

however not to worry, it will not affect the aquarium system drastically , but removing it enhance water gas exchange and light penetration.

[ervine]

the only way to get rid of it is surface skimming, or overflow bro... last time before I got my overflow I cleaned it up with some disposable kitchen towels, let it just sit on the water surface to soak up the protein layer then dispose...

but IMO get the overflow or surface skimmer or surface agitation (not advisable, salt spray)

[glim18]

You can buy a surface skimmer for about $10-15 at most lfs. The top of the skimmer looks like the "castle" english chess piece. Hook-up the surface skimmer to the input of your pump in your main tank. The surface skimmer will take water from both the surface of the water and the lower half of the tank as well. I'm using it for my canister filter. You can adjust the amount of surface skimming. I prefer this to that of the Eheim surface skimmer because it takes water from a 360degree on the surface...i.e. no dead area around the surface skimmer down flow pipe area.

[big_ben102000]

DOC is dissolved organic compound which is soluble in water.

the layer of 'stuff' is most likely oil from feeding or simply ur fishes poo.

a surface skimmer or a overflow box will solve the problems.

even if ur DOC is very very low, i can assure you that it will appear after u feed .. say pellet or even frozen mysis or brine.

or even dipping ur hand into ur tank cause that to happen.

however not to worry, it will not affect the aquarium system drastically , but removing it enhance water gas exchange and light penetration.

yes bro it happen ! haha almost everytime .. i was juz worried that it will affect the tank drastically. anyways i solved the problem by pointing one of the power heads slightly towards the surface.. not high enough to cause splashes or bubbles to form

the layer isnt as distinct now.. but i will get a normal surface skimmer.. the one i DIY is way too ugly dont even knoe if it works

thanks for all the suggestion and advice ! appreciate it