jon_703 March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 So I have a thing later or "dirt" at the top of my water. It seems to be only on one side l, the side where the water isn't moving as much. Any suggestions? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 Tilt the powerhead up a little more to agitate the surface and push it towards the overflow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arking_mark March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 A little more explanation. An overflow or equivalent provides surface skimming. To be effective, the water in an overflow needs to "drop" a little to pull the surface water in. Additionally, there needs to be enough surface movement so there are no dead spots. If either of these 2 conditions are not met you will build up surface film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmerek2 March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 You might have had something die in the tank or have some die off from rock work. The only time I saw this was when I lost my old hippo tang. Might not hurt to check ammonia level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve175 March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 As above: increase flow - esp flow towards surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 16, 2016 Author Share March 16, 2016 I don't have an overflow unfortunately. But I will tilt the head a little more and see if that helps. Thanks! Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arking_mark March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 No overflow? How are you skimming the surface water then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDRDATA March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 No overflow? How are you skimming the surface water then? I'm going to guess you're using a canister filter or similar setup. Assuming that's correct, the simplest solution is probably to add a dedicated surface skimmer. They're simple, cheap, and do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 Your picture shows a skimmer pump with an elbow and some sort of contraption on the end of the elbow. By chance, is that supposed to skim the surface? If so, it may be sitting just a little low. What skimmer are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 You're picture shows a skimmer pump with an elbow and some sort of contraption on the end of the elbow. By chance, is that supposed to skim the surface? If so, it may be sitting just a little low. What skimmer are you using? You should also make sure that you have enough surface agitation to keep the organic film on the move so it can get skimmed off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 16, 2016 Share March 16, 2016 I found it. You've got a Reef Octopus BH100SS HOB skimmer. The "SS" on the part number indicates that it came equipped with a surface skimming cup. That contraption on the intake side of the pump is, in fact, that surface skimming cup. In your case, it's not adjusted to the right height to perform surface skimming. Here's the manual for that skimmer. The drawing shows an o-ring on the "adjusting pipe." I suspect that, by moving the o-ring up and down the pipe, you can adjust the height of the cup. Adjust it closer to the surface so that surface water "falls" into the cup to skim the surface. The instruction says to put the cup about 1/2 inch under the surface of the water but you may need to tweak it a little to get it to do what it needs to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 17, 2016 Author Share March 17, 2016 I'm going to guess you're using a canister filter or similar setup. Assuming that's correct, the simplest solution is probably to add a dedicated surface skimmer. They're simple, cheap, and do the job.Yes I'm using a Fluval 405 filter. I'm also using a Reef Octopus 100 HOB Skimmer Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 17, 2016 Author Share March 17, 2016 I found it. You've got a Reef Octopus BH100SS HOB skimmer. The "SS" on the part number indicates that it came equipped with a surface skimming cup. That contraption on the intake side of the pump is, in fact, that surface skimming cup. In your case, it's not adjusted to the right height to perform surface skimming. Here's the manual for that skimmer. The drawing shows an o-ring on the "adjusting pipe." I suspect that, by moving the o-ring up and down the pipe, you can adjust the height of the cup. Adjust it closer to the surface so that surface water "falls" into the cup to skim the surface. The instruction says to put the cup about 1/2 inch under the surface of the water but you may need to tweak it a little to get it to do what it needs to do.Awesome!!!!! Thanks Origami!!!!! I'll take a look at the manual shortly. I didn't know it had at surface skimmer. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sen5241b March 17, 2016 Share March 17, 2016 I have the same thing. A couple times a week I just skim it off the top with a cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness March 18, 2016 Share March 18, 2016 I found it. You've got a Reef Octopus BH100SS HOB skimmer. The "SS" on the part number indicates that it came equipped with a surface skimming cup. That contraption on the intake side of the pump is, in fact, that surface skimming cup. In your case, it's not adjusted to the right height to perform surface skimming. Here's the manual for that skimmer. The drawing shows an o-ring on the "adjusting pipe." I suspect that, by moving the o-ring up and down the pipe, you can adjust the height of the cup. Adjust it closer to the surface so that surface water "falls" into the cup to skim the surface. The instruction says to put the cup about 1/2 inch under the surface of the water but you may need to tweak it a little to get it to do what it needs to do. Good eye!! Dang... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve175 March 18, 2016 Share March 18, 2016 Gotta always beat Origami to a thread to add a comment because I will never be able to add anything once he has analyzed a reef problem Strong work! Would also adjust the flu all return towards the surface (I resuscitated mine and use it for surface agitation in my 220G fuge which has too little clearance above it to easily maintain power heads). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 18, 2016 Author Share March 18, 2016 I found it. You've got a Reef Octopus BH100SS HOB skimmer. The "SS" on the part number indicates that it came equipped with a surface skimming cup. That contraption on the intake side of the pump is, in fact, that surface skimming cup. In your case, it's not adjusted to the right height to perform surface skimming. Here's the manual for that skimmer. The drawing shows an o-ring on the "adjusting pipe." I suspect that, by moving the o-ring up and down the pipe, you can adjust the height of the cup. Adjust it closer to the surface so that surface water "falls" into the cup to skim the surface. The instruction says to put the cup about 1/2 inch under the surface of the water but you may need to tweak it a little to get it to do what it needs to do. Sooo, I adjusted the surface skimmer so it's closer to the surface. There still seems to be a "film" at the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 18, 2016 Share March 18, 2016 Sooo, I adjusted the surface skimmer so it's closer to the surface. There still seems to be a "film" at the top. Is it actually skimming the surface? Do you see it pulling stuff down? If not, try adjusting it a little higher. You'll still need better flow across the top from other circulation in the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 18, 2016 Author Share March 18, 2016 Seems like it there's a little funnel going into the surface skimmer. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 18, 2016 Share March 18, 2016 Then give it a few days to see if the problem clears up. It's good to get that film off as it can possibly inhibit gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out) at the surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 19, 2016 Author Share March 19, 2016 Then give it a few days to see if the problem clears up. It's good to get that film off as it can possibly inhibit gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out) at the surface.It's all gone!!! It's completely clear at the top. Is it normal to have some small partials floating around the tank? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 20, 2016 Share March 20, 2016 It's all gone!!! It's completely clear at the top. Is it normal to have some small partials floating around the tank? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Glad to hear it. It's not uncommon to see microparticles. However, they're often either filtered out thru filter socks or, in some cases, settle out. Your canister filter should trap most particles in time. Sent from my LG-V510 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_703 March 20, 2016 Author Share March 20, 2016 Glad to hear it. It's not uncommon to see microparticles. However, they're often either filtered out thru filter socks or, in some cases, settle out. Your canister filter should trap most particles in time. Sent from my LG-V510 using Tapatalk Thanks. It's just annoying to see stuff floating around in the current. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now