Stagnant water

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by marc1986, Nov 6, 2008.

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  1. marc1986

    marc1986 Skunk Shrimp

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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Hello all,

    quick question for you...I just started cycling my aquarium on Nov. 1st...but I noticed that the water on top in the back chambers seems to be a bit stagnant...with gunk on it :confused: it's kinda gross...but I also see like the oily film on the surface of the Display tank...what is this stuff??? Is is my pump not doing its job properly? BTW I have the aquapod 24.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    #1

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  2. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

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    do you have an overflow with a sump?
     
    reef_guru, Nov 6, 2008
    reef_guru, Nov 6, 2008
    #2
  3. Trueno22

    Trueno22 Flamingo Tongue

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    Do you have a protein skimmer?
     
    Trueno22, Nov 6, 2008
    Trueno22, Nov 6, 2008
    #3
  4. marc1986

    marc1986 Skunk Shrimp

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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    It has an overflow...and it goes into the back chambers where the "filter" is...and then comes back around...so I would assume that indeed this is a sump...(chamber)...

    I don't have a protein skimmer yet...I didn't think I needed one until the tank finished cycling...is this a wrong assumption?
     
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    #4
  5. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

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    huh?, do you have a canister filter or a sump.

    can you explain your entire set up?
     
    reef_guru, Nov 6, 2008
    reef_guru, Nov 6, 2008
    #5
  6. marc1986

    marc1986 Skunk Shrimp

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    Houston, TX
    Okay, sorry for being unclear...it's a aquapod so it has the stock chambers somewhat like the biocube...sump...I don't have a canister filter...

    Thanks :)
     
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    #6

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  7. Iraf

    Iraf Snowflake Eel

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    Marc, do you have the surface skimmer for it? It's a piece of plastic that goes over the grill that lets the water into the rear chamber, that will get the gunk off the surface for you if you have it.
     
    Iraf, Nov 6, 2008
    Iraf, Nov 6, 2008
    #7
  8. marc1986

    marc1986 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    I do...but it doesn't seem to help...I even put those sponges on...just during the cycle. to help clear it up...but it hasn't exactly helped.
     
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    #8
  9. marc1986

    marc1986 Skunk Shrimp

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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Okay, after thinking about it...I don't think I do have it....stumped....

    all it looks like is the grill with verticle pieces of plastic is that what you are talking about?
     
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    marc1986, Nov 6, 2008
    #9
  10. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Angle the return loc-line fitting so it forces the surface of the water to tumble a little and/or upgrade the pump so you get more flow. This is just proteins and other DOC's.

    BTW, this is just how a protein skimmer works. These compounds are hydrophobic and will always try to get out of the water. In this case, that is air/water interface at the top of your tank. A protein skimmer just does it by creating millions of bubbles and the compounds stick to the air/water interface of the bubbles.
     
    inwall75, Nov 6, 2008
    inwall75, Nov 6, 2008
    #10
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