gunk on water surface?

[new2salt2]

i have this white looking gunk film on my water surface. it is covering the entire water surface. what is this and how do i get rid of it? my skimmer is not working it down very well.

[ravenmore]

i have this white looking gunk film on my water surface. it is covering the entire water surface. what is this and how do i get rid of it? my skimmer is not working it down very well.

That happens on just about all sumpless tanks. A kind of oily film develops. You can try increasing your surface movement or get the surface skimming attachment for your prism skimmer.

-Mike

[new2salt2]

is it harmless? i only started noticing it within the last few months

[Leddy]

I'd get a powerheard and aim it at the surface, this will keep the film in the water column, and eventually your skimmer will take care of it. I think if the gunk builds up, the result could be poor gas exchange. 2 PH's would be even better, more surface agitation. Good luck.



Leddy

[ravenmore]

the surface skimmer attachment for the prism skimmer would really help - it will strip it off and increase the effeciency of the skimmer by a good bit. I think it's about $30 retail and comes with a media basket insert as well.

The film on the surface will inhibit gas exchange as mentioned.

[new2salt2]

oh.. i have the deluxe items on the skimmer.. thing is that it still sits about 2" below the water surface..i have raised the skimmer up on edge of tank about 1/2 inch so far, but that is all.. am working on allowing water to evaporate down a tad, but it woudl be almost 3" below tank water line.

[Elmo18]

I would think the film is bad because it will block light that is going through. Not to mention, it is really gunk that shouldn't be there

- Elmo

[ravenmore]

oh.. i have the deluxe items on the skimmer.. thing is that it still sits about 2" below the water surface..i have raised the skimmer up on edge of tank about 1/2 inch so far, but that is all.. am working on allowing water to evaporate down a tad, but it woudl be almost 3" below tank water line.

If I remember right, the surface skimmer attachment should be adjustable. I seem to recall that it slid up and down......