scum

markak15 · 05-07-2005, 04:52 PM

I have a 10 gal nano that I've had for about 4 months now. I have 80 watts of PC and the tank houses 1 damsel, an emerald crab, 2 snails, some xenia, and some yellow polyps. Recently, no matter how many water changes I do, I can't get rid of this thin layer of scum on top of the water. It wasn't there before, and if you don't look up at the surface you don't even notice it. SHould I just ignore it? Could the corals be causing this? because it definitely wasn't there until a few weeks after I started adding corals. Thanks.

wharyat · 05-07-2005, 05:06 PM

Just proteins and nitogens on the surface; increase agitation, like pointing a powerhead towards the surface.

typemismatch · 05-07-2005, 09:37 PM

hey I got a great little surface skimmer that appeared to be gimmicky at first but really works well and is simple to setup .... it just takes the surface water to your filter.

I got mine from here ....http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=HG11006

give that a try. although when my tank is running well it doesn't get scum but if you've seen my other threads ... it isn't well hehe

-c

Jeremiah · 05-08-2005, 12:25 AM

I would highly reccomend that aquaclear scum sucker in the link above. I just set up a little 15h nano that was not drilled. So to avoid the surface film I spent the 9 bucks to get that scum sucker. I took of the hose it came with and used some other hose to hook it up to a maxjet 900. Works like a charm. Best $9 I have spent on this setup.

Loverotties · 05-08-2005, 12:42 AM

That works great and a protein skimmer hooked up to that would do great too!

wharyat · 05-08-2005, 06:46 PM

No need to buy anything, just increase surface agitation.

BRI690 · 05-08-2005, 10:47 PM

But I would reccomend that you do something about it. The surface scum is bad for gas exchange.

If you do decide to just use a powerhead, make sure that there are no still areas around the sides of the tank. I would suggest pointing the powerhead up towards the surface of the water. Place the powerhead left/right of center and aim the output towards the center of the tank. That way youll get two circular motions on the left and right side of the tank. If you place the powerhead on the left ad point it to the right, you will have less flow on the left of the tank - and visa-versa.
The best way to do it though is to get two different powerheads - one on the left and one on the right. Both pointing to the surface at the front-center of the tank. This is for the most part what I use with my 10 gallon.

OR, you could by an external pump and a SCWD and plumb two imputs (one on each side). This is the most expensive option but will be the least cluttered and will be able to give the most flow.

I would say aim for atleast 150 galon per hour total to avoid the scum completely if you use any of these methods.

typemismatch · 05-09-2005, 08:11 PM

or you could just spend the $9 and get the surface skimmer