Oily film?

[crazymman]

Just wondering what this oily film on top of my water is? Does it mean i need more surface movement?

 

[Bluespace]

If you ask yote he'll say you need some white caps on top your water..:mrgreen:

I would say your right on the surface movement.

 

[Smitty]

Yep, more movement will take care of that.

 

[OhNoNemo]

Not sure how your PH's are set up,but i have 3 at the bottom pointing up making a ripple effect on the surface.

 

[VAreef]

Do you have a sump? I experienced this when I had a problem with my return pump and overflow not moving enough water. A sponge in one of those that gets missed during a cleaning can seriously restrict flow.

 

[crazymman]

I may try that. Mine are close to the top pointing across the tank. Is the film bad?

 

[crazymman]

Dont have a sump yet. Buying my pump and overflow tomorrow and hope to have it all running by the end of the weekend.

 

[Bluespace]

What kind of powerheads do you have?

I also have a 55g. I use two koralia #3's. Great flow.

 

[crazymman]

I have the # 2's. I thought the 3's would be to much. I just moved them and pointed them more towards the surface. Should do the trick.

 

[VAreef]

Ah once you get the overflow and sump going that surface film should go away. It was that film that keyed me to start looking for a problem in my sump when I saw it.

 

[crazymman]

Hey did you build youre own fuge Blue?

 

[crazymman]

It was you VA that made the spray bar right? I'm really thinking of doing that.

 

[Bluespace]

With the #2's you probably can put them both on the back glass. I'm sure that would take care of the surface movement and create better flow for the entire tank. I've heard of several having success with this.

I tired with the #3's but no dice. Had a sand storm on my hands..:mrgreen:

 

[Bluespace]

Hey did you build youre own fuge Blue?

I bought the 20L but I did do the baffles.

 

[crazymman]

Theres a guy on CL that has a rio 1400 and an overflow for 50 bucks. He says he was using it for a 55. Does this sound good to you guys?

 

[VAreef]

Yeah I got the spray bar. If you do make one drill holes on the front AND the back of the pipe that runs along the bottom of the tank. I kinda didn't think about the back when I made mine.

 

[crazymman]

Hmm I'm gonna try that right now. See what happens.

 

[crazymman]

So its just a single pipe going down the middle of the tank and then t's off at the bottom?

 

[Bluespace]

Is the rio 1400 a submersible pump? If so they sell new for $30. And an overflow box is pretty cheap.

 

[crazymman]

Hmm youre right. And I'm not sure if the 1400 is strong enough.