[SPAM]

Hello all,

Problem #1: I'm having a difficult time with all the filtration business for my tank... What do you guys think of the fluval system? I had a cheap skimmer and a bio wheel before and the skimmer never stayed running. Anyway I switched to the fluval 304 and took all the rest out. Anyway now I have some kind of film floating ontop of the water?

Problem #2: My lighting system is getting real hot and raising the temp in the tank... We have a custom top and vho lighting....with two 50/50 and two actinics any suggestions?

Thanks Pam

[Tervill]

Hi Pam,

I have a Fluval in my tank as well, and I did the exact same thing that you did.... I removed the skimmer because I thought it wasn't working. As a result, a thin layer of film developped on the surface of the water. This is because the inlet and oulet of the Fluval are both under water, and the surface of the water never "breaks", and doesn't get stirred in with the rest of the water. I recommend that you position the outlet so it is just poking out of the surface by only about 1/2 of a centimeter. This is what I did. One thing that you should know, however, is that I had a lot of algae growth after I took out the skimmer. I put the skimmer back in after about 2 weeks. What is wrong with your skimmer? What is it doing that makes you think it doesn't work? A skimmer, IMO, is a very important item for a saltwater tank because it removes DOC's that algae thrive on. What kind of skimmer do you have?

Metal Halides do indeed get very hot. Have you ever thought about adding a small fan to blow over the top of the tank? This will cool it down.

Terry

[tendar]

I would suggest adding a power head to your tank and have it aimed towards the water surface to get more turbulance on the surface will help some with film on top.
You will need to add a fan some how to your canopy to circulate air through it to get the hot air out and cooler air in.

[Valclore]

Use your Protien skimmers, it will be good for the health of your tank to get rid of the protien skum on the surface of the water for gas exchange, as long as the motor and air are running it WILL help. If that dosen't help check with Dr. Fosters & Smith, They have a device that should hook-up to your Fluval it's a "Eheim surface extractor" LINK http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=6&pCatId=3614 Should take you to the page... #2. Find a 6" clip-on fan and blow it behind your hood to blow cool air across the surface. And if that doesn't help much turn off 1 of your power heads for a couple days and see how much the temp drops, If not enough then turn the both of them off then check again... If it helps then you might want to put them on a timer.... Good Luck!!