Simple Solution to Removing Surface Film without an Overflow.

Since my aquarium is sumpless, I don't have the added benefit of having the surface of the water constantly being skimmer from falling into the overflow to remove the surface scum that builds up in the aquarium. And rather than purchasing a surface skimmer that looks very unsightly, I though of a simple method that I can do to remove some of the film and hopefully over time get a handle on the situation. During my water change I would use tubing to siphon water from the aquarium into the container. But I thought maybe I should try just taking a glass and pushing it in the aquarium to basically mimic the overflow and remove water and the surface scum. I think it worked quite well and over the course of the next few week it should clear up more than it already has from a single water change.



Surface film covering the aquarium water about 1 week ago.





Surface film covering the aquarium water after Friday's water change.

 

OR..
Why don't you buy an adapter for your HOB filter...
Something that looks like this? maybe?

 

TOM makes one.. wish they made one for the Marineland filters, damn square tubing :\

 

intersting idea, i too am sump free sadly but my carbon reactor seems to do the trick for me. i must admit there are some days, like today, where i see the so called film on my surface as well but it doesnt really bother my that much

 

Would an Airstone break up that film? A little extra O2 is a good thing as well

 

Good thread.. All this time I thought that film was a result of my hands and moisturizer getting in the water! I was going nuts cause I always wash my hands and arms before I put them in my tank. I run a sump and still have a small film layer in my tank. Nothing as bad as the pics above though.

 

More Flow! Aimed at the surface would help to break down this scum.

He He, head said scum, he he

 

The film most folks see on the surface of their tanks is often due to oily foods being used. Oily additives such as Selcon can add to this. It may be a certain food if this is an intermittent problem, and sometimes, pre-rinsing the food helps.

Good surface agitation may break it up, however, as mentioned good surface skimming helps a lot, as this will actually help remove it from the DT. IME, alternating flow helps a lot, as laminar flow can often create a "clean" channel, but the scum tends to collect where there is no flow. One of our FOWLR setups tends to develop a film if the main returns aren't alternated.

JME...

 

Or just buy a powerhead and mount it at the top of the tank. That always does it for me

 

Float a couple paper towels or a sheet of newspaper on the surface once a month or whenever and it will be gone for zero investment.