Film on the top of the water!! HELP PLEASE

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 2
  1. ranger2806

    ranger2806 Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2008
    Messages:
    307
    Location:
    rockford IL
    i have a thin film of something on the top of my reef tank and i dont know what it is. everything is good as far as testing levels go. i am using well water which i now is high in phos. and i have alot of green slime on my tank i have to clean it every two days it gets so bad. i just bought a RO system online but havent got it yet. what can i do to get rid of the film and slime. i have heard of a surface skimmer but what is it
     
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    Messages:
    3,153
    Location:
    St. Louis
    you just need to point your powerheads up towards the top of the water. The surface should be rippled across
     
    schackmel, Dec 28, 2008
    schackmel, Dec 28, 2008
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. Damsels R Cool

    Damsels R Cool Millepora

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2008
    Messages:
    920
    Location:
    Greenacers,Florida
    had the same problem try aiming a power head towards the surface
     
    Damsels R Cool, Dec 28, 2008
    Damsels R Cool, Dec 28, 2008
    #3
  4. bc219

    bc219 Millepora

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2008
    Messages:
    937
    Location:
    Mishawaka, IN
    Yep I agree with those who posted before me. I've had the same problem too. One time when I was having that issue after the powerheads had been in the same place and I didn't move them, it turned out to be the pump running my sump was failing and I wasn't having enough waterflow thru overflow box. Just keep that in mind too.
     
    bc219, Dec 28, 2008
    bc219, Dec 28, 2008
    #4
  5. ranger2806

    ranger2806 Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2008
    Messages:
    307
    Location:
    rockford IL
    thanks what about the green slime
     
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    #5
  6. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    Messages:
    1,985
    Location:
    Athens, GA
    You said your phosphates were high. That is one issue with the algae. Good move on the ro that will help a bunch. Get the phosphates out and you will tell a big difference and more flow to the area or areas.
     
    scenario1313, Dec 28, 2008
    scenario1313, Dec 28, 2008
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. bc219

    bc219 Millepora

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2008
    Messages:
    937
    Location:
    Mishawaka, IN
    Get some snails?

    How long has your tank been set up, etc. Levels? More details please.
     
    bc219, Dec 28, 2008
    bc219, Dec 28, 2008
    #7
  8. =Jwin=

    =Jwin= Tassled File Fish

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,968
    Location:
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Aim a powerhead at the surface, it should be so turbulent it's hard to see through it. Get rid of the phosphates. Your problems should dwindle away after that :D
     
    =Jwin=, Dec 28, 2008
    =Jwin=, Dec 28, 2008
    #8
  9. ranger2806

    ranger2806 Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2008
    Messages:
    307
    Location:
    rockford IL
    my tank is the standard 75 gal. its been running for about 2-3 weeks with 150 lbs of live rock from my friends tank.
     
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    ranger2806, Dec 28, 2008
    #9
  10. pgreef

    pgreef Fire Goby

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    Messages:
    1,344
    Location:
    Algonquin, IL
    A surface skimmer looks like this
    [​IMG]
    It is usually used when you have a sump. Basically the water is siphoned out of the skimmer and down to your sump and then back up again. This way the water is always removed from the surface of the tank keeping it film free. Aiming the power heads at the surface help but don't eliminate it completely.

    You can purchase a surface skimmer to work with an AquaC remora HOB protein skimmer. It works fairly well.
     
    pgreef, Dec 28, 2008
    pgreef, Dec 28, 2008
    #10
    1 person likes this.
Page 1 of 2