Why there is a layer of dust (like oil) on top?

curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
I got NANO TANK 12gallon - now is almost 4-5 weeks.
I noticed on top of the water surface, there is like "oil and dust" surrounding. I adjusted the overflow on top and and this "oil and dust" layer turning around - not go into the filter on the left (supposed to be).
The water line of the tank is the same with all water lines inside the 4 filter boxes behind.
I cleaned this "oil and dust" using tissue but still there .. Where is it coming from? and what should I do?
Thanks.


 
4

40 galons

Guest
its comming from the organics in the water i believe. you need to get more flow going to the top of the water or get a surface skimmer . i would recommend both
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by hot883
You need more surface agitation or skimming.
I lean more toward a skimmer for this. The problem is that salt water is very dense. It is heavier than the disolved organics, therefore they float. Surface agitation will likely just blow it in a circular motion. A skimmer is needed to catch these organics (the oily, dusty stuff)
 
fishieness

fishieness

Active Member
a surface skimmer will do absolutly nothing as it already is in the tank though because the water doea not fall anywhere because as stated, the water level of the filter chambers is the same as the main tank.
if you shoot it at the surface, then you will be able to get it into your main water collum where your bacteria will get rid of it as well as carbon or a portein skimmer that you may have.
 
curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
Originally Posted by 40 galons
its comming from the organics in the water i believe. you need to get more flow going to the top of the water or get a surface skimmer . i would recommend both
What is surface skimmer? Do you have pic please - that help. Where to buy?
My brother used to have a 30gallon tank - and he got the skimmer that he hung-on the filter at the bottom of the stand. Is this the skimmer you talked about? My tank is Nano tank - I don't have any room to hang this thing.
The water flows now circulate this top oil&dust layer moving around like a circle on top .. Should I change the pump to Maxijet 900 and so it maybe flow stronger?
Any comments appreciated.
 
curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
Originally Posted by fishieness
a surface skimmer will do absolutly nothing as it already is in the tank though because the water doea not fall anywhere because as stated, the water level of the filter chambers is the same as the main tank.
if you shoot it at the surface, then you will be able to get it into your main water collum where your bacteria will get rid of it as well as carbon or a portein skimmer that you may have.
You meant I don't need the Surface Skimmer? And just get more flow on top?
As you see this is Nano tank (with built in closed lid) - There is no room for skimmer.
Thanks much.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
had the same problem with my 12 aquapod so i just pointed one of the powerheads more to the surface and it looks great now..
btw i loooooove your rocks
 
fishieness

fishieness

Active Member
Originally Posted by curiousnano
You meant I don't need the Surface Skimmer? And just get more flow on top?
As you see this is Nano tank (with built in closed lid) - There is no room for skimmer.
Thanks much.
i beleive they do make a surface skimmer for nanocubes, but it is an extra you will have to buy. but i am saying ig you do it, you will ahve to make sure that the water level in yoru filter is smaller than the water level in your sump.
surface skimming is just removing the surface water directly on top before filtration or going into your skimmer instead of all the water uner it.
 
curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
Originally Posted by yerboy
had the same problem with my 12 aquapod so i just pointed one of the powerheads more to the surface and it looks great now..
btw i loooooove your rocks
If you point 2 heads on top that took care the top - what about the bottom.. I think we need the water flow under there too.
It took a few hours for me to set up these rocks .. thanks
 
curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
Yes I knew this skimmer - tiny one ..
Some said that it does not work because so tiny and too much work to take out and clean and all that...
But thanks much for the input
 
curiousnano

curiousnano

Member
Originally Posted by Chellie4u2
I also had this problem and you ned to create a waterfall effect on your tank with the filter
"Waterfall" < what do you mean by this?
My tank is the nano with the closed lid - just for your info.
Thanks.
 
yerboy

yerboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by curiousnano
If you point 2 heads on top that took care the top - what about the bottom.. I think we need the water flow under there too.
It took a few hours for me to set up these rocks .. thanks

i only point one to the top the other to the bottom.
you can tell in my pic its not pointed straight up but just up enough to move the surface.
sorry its blurry i just took it on the fly for this post
 
chellie4u2

chellie4u2

Member
I have a 24g NANO and where the water goes into the filter you need to get it to look like a waterfall, did yours come with little black plates that you can use to control the waterflo? so you need to have the water level lower in the filter area so the water in your tank looks like a waterfall.
 
zoie2

zoie2

Active Member
I would switch to the maxi jet 900. I did and it works great. I also got the wavemaker ( that breaks up the surface of the water). I actually bought a little protien skimmer and didn't like it. It was too tricky to get the water level where I needed it to be. It was either too low or too high. That's when I got the new pump and wave maker. It's been working gre
 
J

jon2arch

Guest
I ended up cutting one of my sponges in half to create the waterfall efect.
 
J

jon2arch

Guest
All my vents are closed except for the top vent where the water enters the sponge area. After cutting the sponge, it took a couple of hours, but yes it did clear up. If you are not sure if it will work, push down on the sponge and see what results you get from that. My sponge was originally at the same height as the top of the water. Now its about two inches below water surface.
 
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