mystery film

[bongobrian]

Over the past couple weeks I've been noticing a film of "junk" floating on the top of my tank. The tank has been set up for about 2 months now but I've just recently started seeing this happen. I know the amount of food I'm putting in is minimal and is being consumed completely by my fish. The film doesn't look like decayed food but rather small particles of various sizes.. almost like a dust. All of the windows are closed that are near the tank. The only thing that I can think it might have come from is deteriorated macro algea. About a week ago I cleaned out one of my powerheads with my finger and a bunch of this dead macro algea came out. I'm wondering if maybe that caused the film? I have skimmed the top layer of water manually with a cup several times. I keep seeing this film re-appearing. Does anyone have any advice? also are there any devices out there like special filters that will help take care of this? Right now I have a CPR bakpak 2 that is kept very very clean. Thanks. ~Bri

[FishKid]

welcome to reefland!

Try aiming your powerheads up towards the surface to get rid of it.

[CaptainK]

Hi BongoBrian,
WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!!!
I agree 100% with Fishkid. I used to have this same constant problem. I even tried getting the preskimmer for the backpak, DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY on it. Just do what Fishkid said, try to aim a powerhead at the surface of the water to agitate it.
The surface of my water almost looks turbulant. It also will give a nice shimmering effect to your tank.
This should clear up the problem for you.
HTH,
CaptK

[bongobrian]

Hey thanks for the welcome and thanks you guys for your advice. I actually directed one of my powerheads towards the surface yesterday. I let it run that way all evening and all last night. This morning I checked the tank and the water is clear where there is current, but there is a film everywhere else (where the current seems to die). Should I direct both of my powerheads towards the top? I would be concerned about the tank getting enough current if I did that. I have 2 powerheads in a 46 gallon. I'm wondering if I need another powerhead or two. Thanks for the advice on the preskimmer... I'll let my powerheads do the work for now. Thanks again.

[FishKid]

What kind of powerhead do you use? The best way to rid your self of that, is to arrange your powerheads to make a complete circle of agitation..


mark

[bongobrian]

I have 1 powersweep (can't remember the model number.. I think it's a 2100??) and I have a CAP 18. I have the powersweep pointed at the surface because it's the only one that can be redirected. The CAP is stationary.

[Firefish]

I had the same problem...after you direct the power head at the surface, and all the gunk gets pushed to one side, take your fish net and skim it off the top. It may take a few tries but this is how I got the gunk off the surface;)

[FishTechie]

If you have an overflow box, try and aim your powerhead towards it, that way the particles are swept over and into your skimmer...hth