oily film
- Thread starter sweetpea
- Start date
ktsdad
Member
Originally Posted by sweetpea
I have an oily film on the surface of my 100g reef tank . want to know what it is and how to get rid of it?Thank you.
That's normal.
You need more surface movement. If you have powerheads in your tank, point one a little more towards the surface to get more breakage in the surface of the water. If you don't have any powerheads, then get one. This will also help in Co2 and Nitrogen exchange, which means more stable PH conditions.
Good Luck!
I have an oily film on the surface of my 100g reef tank . want to know what it is and how to get rid of it?Thank you.
That's normal.
You need more surface movement. If you have powerheads in your tank, point one a little more towards the surface to get more breakage in the surface of the water. If you don't have any powerheads, then get one. This will also help in Co2 and Nitrogen exchange, which means more stable PH conditions.
Good Luck!
ktsdad
Member
Originally Posted by My Way
That is why you run a Protien Skimmer.
Can you explain this please?
A pump feeding a protien skimmer will not break the surface tension and clear up the "oily" stuff on the surface.
If you have a filter that uses an overflow, that will help suck the "oily" stuff off the surface also.
That is why you run a Protien Skimmer.
Can you explain this please?
A pump feeding a protien skimmer will not break the surface tension and clear up the "oily" stuff on the surface.
If you have a filter that uses an overflow, that will help suck the "oily" stuff off the surface also.
mikeyjer
Active Member
I point my powerheads towards the surface, that did not rid it but pushes it to the side where it builds up even more. The way I got rid of mine is by adding a sump/fuge system with the overflow box, that took care of the problem, also running a protein skimmer will most definatelly help!!!! All that is excess nutrient. I haven't had a problem since. I will always go with a RR tank from now on, I don't really like the overflow box....My new 90g bowfront is a RR tank and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. :happyfish
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by jakebtc
the whole problem remains that you don't have surface adgitation, skimming helps with water quality, but that has NOTHING to do with the film on the top layer of your tank it will sit there and get thicker if not for surface adgitation i.e. powerhead or overflow of some sort.
Surface agitation will help yes, but skimmer will help as well. Sure skimmer helps with the water quality, what you think those films are? Those are residue from excess nutrient buildup!!!! Where do you think those films would go when you have surface agitation? INTO your water column!!! How to remove'em? Water change and PROTEIN skimmer!!! Just thought I should clear this up. :happyfish
the whole problem remains that you don't have surface adgitation, skimming helps with water quality, but that has NOTHING to do with the film on the top layer of your tank it will sit there and get thicker if not for surface adgitation i.e. powerhead or overflow of some sort.
Surface agitation will help yes, but skimmer will help as well. Sure skimmer helps with the water quality, what you think those films are? Those are residue from excess nutrient buildup!!!! Where do you think those films would go when you have surface agitation? INTO your water column!!! How to remove'em? Water change and PROTEIN skimmer!!! Just thought I should clear this up. :happyfish
jakebtc
Member
the only thing that needs to be cleared here is the top of his water
yeah it would go into your water cloumn and be cleaned with regular maintnance or become more of a problem with the lighting adding to it.
skimmer is NOT going to clean the top layer of film on a tank
solids in the water get removed by movement to a filter not by just disapearing to a skimmer
yeah it would go into your water cloumn and be cleaned with regular maintnance or become more of a problem with the lighting adding to it.
skimmer is NOT going to clean the top layer of film on a tank
solids in the water get removed by movement to a filter not by just disapearing to a skimmer
jakebtc
Member
without being heated virtually no oil has a greater density than water. Which means it will always float to the top and if not moved throughout or heated it will stay atop and just create more mass through dust or whatever may gather at the surface and bind to it.
So without surface adgitation its never going to be removed from the water without first being mixed into or with the water and then reaching a skimmer or any other filtration device thereby being removed from the water
So without surface adgitation its never going to be removed from the water without first being mixed into or with the water and then reaching a skimmer or any other filtration device thereby being removed from the water
my way
Active Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
I have a skimmer and I have had problems with the oily surface. Once I aimed at PH at the surface it took care of it.
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing id mixing it back into the water.
I have a skimmer and I have had problems with the oily surface. Once I aimed at PH at the surface it took care of it.
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing id mixing it back into the water.
my way
Active Member
Originally Posted by ktsdad
Can you explain this please?
A pump feeding a protien skimmer will not break the surface tension and clear up the "oily" stuff on the surface.
If you have a filter that uses an overflow, that will help suck the "oily" stuff off the surface also.
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing is mixing it back into the water. This is how a protien skimmer does it's job. I will explain for the knowitalls in this thread. As the bubbles go up the skimmer the Protien (which is the oily film on the water surface) clings to the bubbles and is removed to the collestion cup. This is why skimmers are counter current and why you want the bubbles as small as you can get them, more surface area of air (the bubbles), the more it can collect.
Originally Posted by jakebtc
the whole problem remains that you don't have surface adgitation, skimming helps with water quality, but that has NOTHING to do with the film on the top layer of your tank it will sit there and get thicker if not for surface adgitation i.e. powerhead or overflow of some sort.
Now who's the jackass? If you don't know what you are talking about you should not be posting wrong information.
Can you explain this please?
A pump feeding a protien skimmer will not break the surface tension and clear up the "oily" stuff on the surface.
If you have a filter that uses an overflow, that will help suck the "oily" stuff off the surface also.
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing is mixing it back into the water. This is how a protien skimmer does it's job. I will explain for the knowitalls in this thread. As the bubbles go up the skimmer the Protien (which is the oily film on the water surface) clings to the bubbles and is removed to the collestion cup. This is why skimmers are counter current and why you want the bubbles as small as you can get them, more surface area of air (the bubbles), the more it can collect.
Originally Posted by jakebtc
the whole problem remains that you don't have surface adgitation, skimming helps with water quality, but that has NOTHING to do with the film on the top layer of your tank it will sit there and get thicker if not for surface adgitation i.e. powerhead or overflow of some sort.
Now who's the jackass? If you don't know what you are talking about you should not be posting wrong information.
dragonladylea
Member
Nice post MY WAY - Me myself I only run 2 600 Rios and a Skimmer on a 35 Hex and there is no "oil" film in my tank..
Most people should do research before answering posts especially when attaching uncalled for names! There are younger people who read these boards.
Most people should do research before answering posts especially when attaching uncalled for names! There are younger people who read these boards.
cgrant
Active Member
Originally Posted by jakebtc
the only thing that needs to be cleared here is the top of his water
yeah it would go into your water cloumn and be cleaned with regular maintnance or become more of a problem with the lighting adding to it.
skimmer is NOT going to clean the top layer of film on a tank jackA$$
nice try though
solids in the water get removed by movement to a filter not by just disapearing to a skimmer
Thats Just wrong, I am talking about the name calling, One of the main reasons I started coming to swf is cause all the others had this going on.
the only thing that needs to be cleared here is the top of his water
yeah it would go into your water cloumn and be cleaned with regular maintnance or become more of a problem with the lighting adding to it.
skimmer is NOT going to clean the top layer of film on a tank jackA$$
nice try though
solids in the water get removed by movement to a filter not by just disapearing to a skimmer
Thats Just wrong, I am talking about the name calling, One of the main reasons I started coming to swf is cause all the others had this going on.
ktsdad
Member
Originally Posted by My Way
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing is mixing it back into the water. This is how a protien skimmer does it's job. I will explain for the knowitalls in this thread. As the bubbles go up the skimmer the Protien (which is the oily film on the water surface) clings to the bubbles and is removed to the collestion cup. This is why skimmers are counter current and why you want the bubbles as small as you can get them, more surface area of air (the bubbles), the more it can collect.
Without getting involved with the name calling, I do want to clarify my position.
I fully understand how a protien skimmer works.
Your first post you said "That is why you run a Protien Skimmer"
Adding a protien skimmer alone will not fix the problem.
In your second post you said "If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them" - this I totally agree with and I mentioned that in my last post.
Adding surface agitation will mix it back into the water THEN the skimmer will do it's job.
OR
Using an overflow will also clear up the problem the best.
I think we are on the same track.
Dissolved Organic Compounds, commonly known as Protein are Bipolar molecules. This means it wants to stick to both water and air. If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them. By simply agitating the surface all you are doing is mixing it back into the water. This is how a protien skimmer does it's job. I will explain for the knowitalls in this thread. As the bubbles go up the skimmer the Protien (which is the oily film on the water surface) clings to the bubbles and is removed to the collestion cup. This is why skimmers are counter current and why you want the bubbles as small as you can get them, more surface area of air (the bubbles), the more it can collect.
Without getting involved with the name calling, I do want to clarify my position.
I fully understand how a protien skimmer works.
Your first post you said "That is why you run a Protien Skimmer"
Adding a protien skimmer alone will not fix the problem.
In your second post you said "If you run a Surface Skimmer to a Protien Skimmer it removes them" - this I totally agree with and I mentioned that in my last post.
Adding surface agitation will mix it back into the water THEN the skimmer will do it's job.
OR
Using an overflow will also clear up the problem the best.
I think we are on the same track.