what does everyone do to get the scum off the top of the water?

[Lunchbucket]

just looking for more suggestions of how to get the scum off the top of my water.

i don't have an overflow, just a hot filter. i have heard to use a paper towel but that doesn't work the greatest. also, to sink a cup in the water slowly, that works but takes a lot of time.

any way to get it off quick and keep it off?

thanks
Lunchbucket

[lakerfan]

I do two things to get rid of the surface junk.
1) I have a Surface prefilter attachment to my Aqua C remora and
2) I just recently added another PH to my system that is mainly pointed to the top of the tank. It works great for me.

[Lunchbucket]

well, i don't have a skimmer and don't wnat one either.

so, i have seen these eheim suface skimmer tubes. but i don't have an eheim. will they fit any hot filter??

HELP
later
Lunchbucket

[chipmunk]

my friend easily attached the eheim surface skimmer to his Rena canister filter and it took care of all of his surface sludge problems, said it was the best $30 he's ever spent, now that he doesn't have to constantly fight the slime...he tried the paper towel trick too - didn't work very well.

-chipmunk

[Lunchbucket]

hey chipmunk can you get me some info on that surface skimmer thing?

what size is it? length, width, also what size is the tube it connects too

thanks
Lunchbucket

[chipmunk]

lunchbucket,

my friend got it from www.petwarehouse.com

you might be able to get info on the dimensions from: http://www.eheim.com/

but, when you are working with flexible tubing, it's VERY easy to get one size to fit another, just get some connectors available at any well stocked LFS.

good luck, please let k=me know if you need any more info.

-chipmunk

p.s. if you are only looking to take care of a bit of surface sludge, the eheim product should work well. my friend had a freshwater planted tank, and his surface sludge was like an oil slick and thick with algae...kinda looked like pond scum in his tank...so if his major problem was solved with the eheim product, then you should have good results.

[Lunchbucket]

thanks just need to get one now :D

later
Lunchbucket

[mobert]

it is 11 3/8" tall and is connected with 5/8" OD tube. I'm going to try to adapt it to a maxi-jet or maybe put a maxi-jet in a overflow box with a spray bar like I think Chili did.

[chipmunk]

I saw the eheim in action and it works great. The only drawback I can think of is that it's green like most eheim products. Green can be kinda hard to hide in a reef tank. Too bad they didn't make it in black.

Perhaps hiding it behind some live rock or caulerpa?

in time, it will be encrusted with purple coraline algae and end in anyway, I guess!

[Lunchbucket]

cool thanks chipmunk

i will definately get a hold of one of those!!

[pitabu]

Here's what I did-took a short piece of PVC, cut 4 grooves(through plastic) on one end, capped the other end, poked a piece of tubing though it and attached it to my HOT. With a heater suction cup to hold it near the surface, it worked like a charm. Total cost-$1.50. Nice thing is, I can hear when the water level drops because it starts sucking in air.

[chinese101]

nothing removes surface film like an overflow box. found a small one for 5 bucks at my lfs. stick it on the back of my tank, put the suction tube of my hangon filter in it. instant overflow. works like a charm.

lee

[Tadashi]

I created my own surface filter boxes from my CPR and Remora HOB. I have pictures at www.bonsai-reef.com/diy.html

[chipmunk]

lunchbucket,

Did you ever pick up the eheim? How did it work out for you?

-chipmunk

[Lunchbucket]

no i didn't i was looking through the pet solutions catalog and found that aqua c makes thier own surface skimmer...brand new. so i got one and am very pleased

there is a thread about it on here w/ pics and all

later
Lunchbucket

[TommyBoy]

Anyone know of anybody who has modified a prism to use a surface skimming device? I thought I recall someone doing this mod. some time ago.

[Lunchbucket]

i think Tadashi did, check out his site. otherwise i remember seeing it somewhere too...can't remember

later
Lunchbucket