water question

[mrjenks]

hey there fellow reefers, i have been in the hobby for about 2 years now
and i always noticed that my water seem like theres oil or something floating on the surface, i have no clue what it my be.
so i was just wondering if you had any ideas?

the best way i can describe it is like when you go to a pool and you see all the oils from the sublock floating on top.

 

[Widdy]

The oil slick is protein waste collected on top of the water; comes from fish, fish waste, foods, etc. You'll see it especially after feeding mysis, if you do. Overflow or flow to break the water surface should get it off the surface and into your filter(s).

 

[Paolissimo]

Do you have a skimmer? What you are describing seems to me nutrients. You can probably add some surface movement that will break it up. Do you feed a lot of food?

 

[Paolissimo]

Agree with widdy. Didn't see his comment when I posted mine

 

[mrjenks]

i feed once a day pellets and every couple of days some shrimp.
my skimmer on the otherhand isnt very good. its a coralife modded with an air stone.
i ordered an eshopps cone skimmer hopefuly that will solve the oil slick.

thanks for the info guys

 

[duke62]

Do you have an overflow? i tried doing the breaking the surface thing and it didnt work. if you have an overflow you need to lower the water in the overflow box

 

[mrjenks]

its a drilled 90gal

 

[Will C]

A stronger skimmer will make a difference. Look at your overflow vents on the top, you may need to get a stiff bristle brush and clear out any algae the has accumulated.

 

[mrjenks]

i noticed i have alot of baby snails on the vents. ill give a quick clean to see if it helps.