Film on surface

[ohioreef]

I have a white colored substance that is floating on the surface of my water. I skim it off but then it comes back in a day or so. Any ideas what it might be?

 

[drkdweller]

point a powerhead or your return up that will break it up and keep it from forming

 

[me-n-my-fish]

yep, point a power head or somthing at the top to keep it moving. this will keep the top clean, and help introduce oxegen to your water.
hth

 

[chris17]

:thinking: You probably just need more water flow at the waters surface , if the water is not moving enough it will get kinda stagnant, ...........

 

[ohioreef]

Okay. I have a PH at the other end and that end is clear. I was just wanting to make sure that it wasn't something that I should be concerned about.
I've been going to pick up another PH, but just haven't had the chance yet.
Thanks for the replies.
Gary

 

[dreeves]

Do you have an overflow or a protein skimmer?

 

[ohioreef]

I have a skimmer, however it is not on the aquarium right now because it will not fit with the canopy. I am planning on either a wet/dry or sump set up soon so that I can get the skimmer running on it.
Currently I am using an Eheim canister filter so it is drawing all the water from deeper in the aquarium rather than off the surface.

 

[dreeves]

Doesnt Eheim have a surface skimmer for their canisters? I believe they do..if you cant find one, the powerhead suggestion towards the surface is the next thing to do as mentioned.

 

[ohioreef]

Dreeves,
I'll have to look. My LFS has them for the Fluval, which would probably work as well.
Thanks

 

[ukcats]

I just point a Powerhead...

 

[raccoon]

i found that my tank was doing the same thing about a week ago, If you get more water flow from the surfact your your wet/dry it should clear up in less then an hour. Also make sure that your filter on your wet/dry is not old and clogged up, might be time for replacing it.

 

[ohioreef]

I only have a canister filter right now. I think that if I had a wet/dry with an overflow it would take care of a lot of the problem.

 

[dreeves]

You are correct with the overflow...it skims water from the surface. Also, do a search online for fish supply places and look for the Eheim overflow...online retailers are more apt to have things which a local LFS doesnt just due to the volume and variety of sales they do.
When I set my first 90 gallon up, I used a Filstar XP3 and an Aquaclear 500 on it for a good portion of a year...they worked fine. I moved all my filtration for both my upstairs tanks to the basement so I was able to do the sump stuff...but if it was still upstairs...I would still be using the Filstar/Aquaclear combo.