Surface Skimmer

I dont have a sump or refugium or a drilled tank so this would have to in DT.
My tank is 55 gallons and I do have a powerhead (getting more) Turboflotor Multi SL protein skimmer, heater, T5 lights.
The surface of my aquarium water is really nasty looking.
I was wanting to get a surface skimmer and was wondering if this one was any good?
SubCurrent Aquarium Surface Skimmer Filter Current USA - eBay (item 300268097716 end time May-20-09 06:48:08 PDT)
I know its not rated for 55 gallons but I figured since it wasnt my main source of filtration it would be ok?
What do you think?
Thanks

 

All that is is a $10 rio powerhead in an acrylic box with slots cut in it.

 

ok so do you recommend any other surface skimmers

 

Hi Meagan - I note from your original post you already have a Tunze skimmer ?
the surface of your water is it covered in a white film that looks like oil and sometimes has a brown tint to it?

if so, these are protiens and they are bonded to the water surface by surface tension. As they are there, your existing skimmer cannot deal with them

I had this problem 12 months ago

I solved it by adding a simple air pump, air stone combination which broke up the surface, causing the protiens to go back into the water column enabling the skimmer to deal with it

alternatively angled PH towards surface to create a good ripple effect, will also break the surface tension holding these proteins

if what I have described is not the case , please explain

Steve

 

I have a Aqua Medic Turboflotor Multi SL protein skimmer.
The surface looks oily and you can see all the dirt, dust and hair particles that have fallen in it.
We have several dogs and even though they aren't allowed in the room the tank is in its still going to get hair in it.
Thanks

 

so I guess ya'll don't recommend getting this unit?
if not then what do you suggest?

 

Get a powerhead and place it on the opposite end of your tank from the skimmer. Have it blowing at the waters surface towards the skimmer. If your skimmer is mounted in the middle of the tank, get 2 powerheads, 1 for each end. You don't need them pointed so that they cause massive waves but pointed up at the surface enough to cause a ripple that will break up the film on the water. It can be as simple as two cheap powerheads or two expensive ones. The idea is to break the surface tension of the water.

 

Sorry Meagan The Tunze is an excellent skimmer IMHO

Also onedumbhikk - your user name is cleary inappropriate so ILL be calling you onehikk from now on

Steve

 

How is my name "inappropriate"? You can call me Hikk or Randy. Not many people actually call me by the full name. Its a nickname given to me by a friend in Penssylvania.

 

She has a turbo flotor, not a tunze
Turboflotor Multi SL - Protein Skimmer - Aqua Medic

I wouldn't worry with the box, just get some powerheads pointed at the surface and it will be a lot better off than it is now. The only way the box would actually help is if the pump for the skimmer sat inside the box. That would allow the box to act/work like an overflow box/drain in a drilled tank and allow it to surface skim the tank. That is one thing that many many HOB skimmers are missing - the ability to skim the surface of the tank.