topwater film

[idonteatfish]

how does everyone or anyone get rid of the layer of dust that accumulates on top. i did a water change but its still there.

 

[LFS42]

Ah the long lost days of oil slicks on the surface.
It's a build up of protien that can't break the surface tension of saltwater.

This, my friend is 1 of the reasons why so many reefers go with a sump type filter.
IMO, you could do 4 things.
(1) sop it up with paper towels
(2) run an airstone and burn the oil off
(3) everytime you do a waterchange, siphon off the surface of the water.
(that can be difficult, you start the siphon, and turn the hose towards the surface, as it drains, it should "suck" all the oil away)
(4) get a skimmer on that tank quick

Hope that helps

 

[Marcosreef]

Hello,

You can try aiming a couple of powerheads towards the waters surface. Also an overflow box on a skimmer (if one is available for it). Without a surface skimmer or overflow, this can be a pain to deal with.

Marco

 

[reefann]

I agree with both ideas, the power heads will take care of the problem but running a sump is still a good idea. then you can skim all that crap out. Or you could get a hang on back skimmer.
jj
_________________
Honda CBR600RR

 

[kckhoo93]

I used newspaper and it is very effective. No question of ink leaking into the saltwater! Just put enough pieces of newspaper to cover the whole area and the oil film would be gone. It is free and immediate.

 

[idonteatfish]

well its a little 15 gallon show with a excaliber protein skimmer. the skimmer is working because i see the build up and been cleaning it once a week. it does have a overflow that comes with the skimmer but dosent really break the water surface too much .

 

[LFS42]

You can get attachments to hook up to the intake that will skim off the top of the water.

Or just run an airstone for 2-3 hours whenevr you see the happening.