how can i skim the water surface in my tank?

[enriqueb]

how do i skim the water surface in my tank? i dont have a skimmer right now and am putting off getting one for a while... and even if i did have one it would be in sump and i dont know that it would help. i have a visible film of something on the water surface level of my tank, looks like algea or something..greenish brown. i use a net sometimes and get some of it out but its still visible. any ideas?

 

[turningtim]

How much flow/water movement do you have? It sounds like you need some more surface agitation. Use a small power head or place your returns higher to break the surface. I would strongly suggest getting a skimmer! The stuff on the surface is protien waste and a skimmer would go a long way to clearing it up.
Your overflow is what skims the water and drains it into the skimmer were the waste is removed.
Trust me a good skimmer is a major pc of equipment that you should have.
HTH
Tim

 

[mr_bill]

By chance are you using a HOB overflow? If so, the part on the outside of you tank usually have a sponge like media that does get pretty junked up over time. Take it out and clean it with a high pressure water jet, like a hose on high with nossle. Dry it out well before returning it. It could also be your return pump, over time the tend to lose some pushing power so you might need a replacement. If you've always had this issue than I would say your return pump is just not strong enough and you need one with a higher GPH rating.

 

[thomas712]

In sump skimmers work better than hang ons, but it depends on the size of your tank and how you have it setup.
Perhpas describe your system and equipment and we can make better suggestions. Most of us use overflow boxes either internal or external, we can get into that better once we know more about your system..
Your turnover rate and surface movement also will have something to do with what you are seeing at the top of the water column. Thus TurnningTim's suggestions are good and valid about the power heads. By keeping good water flow and surface movment the DOC's at the top are continually broken up so that the filtration can help remove it, and a skimmer helps tons in removing this type of thing.
Thomas

 

[chipmaker]

How about those surface skimmers that hook into the hob filters inlet tube. I have one on a freshwater tank that appears to work great, and was thinking of getting another to install on a SW setup....

 

[enriqueb]

thanks for all the help so far. i have a 29gal with an external overflow (its not built in which i think makes it external) that goes into a wet dry filter which is then pumped back in by the pump that came with the wet dry...it isnt brand new and i have been thinking about getting a new one anyway. the wet dry was from a 55 gal and its a pretty potent pump. no powerheads. but i dont seem to have any dead spots. do you think a skimmer is necessary for a 29gal FOWLR setup? thanks

 

[mikeyjer]

I think a skimmer is important in any type of setup since it removes protein waste from your water. We had NO idea how dirty our water was until we put the skimmer in. The water was A LOT more clear once the skimmer's been running. :happyfish

 

[caomt]

email me at caomt (at) sbcglobal.net .. i just found a cheap little water surface protein skimmer for 8.99 and 10 dollar shipping.. ill send you a link and you can check it out.. its suppose to skim water surface and stuff
FITS UP TO 60 GALLON TANK
CLEAN THE SURFACE-MUD AND PROTEIN
REMOVE THE ALGAE
EASY TO USE AND INSTALL
FOR FRESHWATER AND SALWATER AQUARIUMS
THE PRODUCT CAN WORK WITH DIFFERENT FILTER
PREVENTS UNDESIRABLE BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES ON THE WATER SURFACE
IMPROVING OXYGEN EXCHANGE
INSTALLATION DIAGRAM INCLUDE
THE MOST AFORTABLE SKIMMER YOU CAN FIND