water surface skimming

[Rogger Castells]

Could you guys give me ideas of methods to skim the water surface on a 40 gal nano filter/sump less. I am having problems getting rid of the film that forms on the surface, what are the methods you guys are using for getting that scum out, I will like to take it out weekly during water changes.
Thanks for any imput you can give me.

Happy New Year,

Rogger

[kjoz]

Can you add a low ghp powerhead to shoot that scum toward the filter area?

[blacksh33p]

lots of people say you can take a piece of paper towel and lay it on the top of the water and soak the stuff up. ive never tried it but i suppose it would work. i think the easiest thing to do is just point a powerhead toward the surface to break the stuff up.

[Brad-DA]

Like this
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/brad-da/Nano011.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/brad-da/Nano015.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/brad-da/Nano012.jpg

[Rogger Castells]

Kjos, I have powerheads shooting water to the surface, but there is no filter at all.

Blacksh, I will try tonight sounds like it could work. I will report the results later

Brad-da, that is an awesome idea, very original. I could probably do that as a last resource since I don't want to have any mechanical filter in this tank.

Thanks everyone for your imput, I will post some pics later tonight

[kevphx28]

I've had some success with using a piece of saran wrap. Cut a piece big enough to cover as much water surface, then lift it from the surface from the middle and that will catch alot of the protein on the surface.
Also try adding bubbles from your powerhead, I run mine with full bubbles for a few hours every night..it helps create more surface tension...which will help with the build up.

[louist]

GOod idea brad-da, how's the noise level?

[jcarnahan12]

Another thing you can do is use a small cup and submerge it slowly (top parallel to the surface). As the rim of the cup breaks the surface you create a poor man's surface syphon.

[Rogger Castells]

Kev, that is an interesting idea, i will try that tomorrow, so far I did the paper towel already and it work fairly good, I guess I could do more paper towels and get even more scum out but I am also taking out tons of water.
I have taken some pics of the nano and posted them in a albun, they are the last 4 or 5 pics, check them out and tell me what you think.

http://homepage.mac.com/rcastells/PhotoAlbum3.html

[kjoz]

Rogger,
No filter? Do you have a sump, refugium, algae scrubber or anything for the tank water to "flow" through to circulate it?

[Rogger Castells]

no sump no refug no algae scrubber just a few power heads for circulation

[KING OF THE REEF]

no wonder, get a fuge or skimmer will work greatly

[Rogger Castells]

jc, i tied the cup method but it is takes too long. thanks for your imput.
by the way I just tried the saran wrap, and it worked well, better than I expected, the scum attaches to the film and when you pulled it almost no water comes out

[Rogger Castells]

jc, i tied the cup method but it is takes too long. thanks for your imput.
by the way I just tried the saran wrap, and it worked well, better than I expected, the scum attaches to the film and when you pulled it almost no water comes out

[Bluemorningwind]

Why not buy one of the surface drains/skimmers that attach to a HOB? Problem solved.

[jcarnahan12]

Yeah it is a little time consuming, I will have to try the plastic wrap next time. Thanks

-josh

[thebrian]

You could try attaching one of these http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/150/HG11006.jpg to the intake on one of your powerheads

[Bill Shultz]

Brad-DA,

I really like your idea and agree that it's a great way to skim the surface.

Rogger,
If's at all a possibility, I would strongly suggest you consider hang on the tank overflow and a sump setup. I struggled with skimmers and tried all the tricks (cups, paper towels, etc) but nothing will work as well as if you have a sump and can take advantage of all the flexibility that they afford (in sump skimmers, place for your heaters and extra crap, etc.)

[jcarnahan12]

Bill, can you get small HOB overflows for a 10g? One that won't take up 1/4 of the tank...lol

[Rogger Castells]

Bluemorning, what is HOB?

Bill, I will do that if everything fails, I am trying to experiment with some Flowerposts and elagant corals, and I think this type of set up is what will give me long time succsess, so far it has worked wonderful, w/o any filter and no skimming.
My other tank is a 210g sps dedicated and has all the bells and wissels available, very nice as well, just different!

[Bluemorningwind]

HOB = Hang On the Back.

Brad-DA posted a pic of a HOB at the top of this page.

thebrian posted a pic of the device I was mentioning. They cost about 2000yen (US$15.00 ???) here. The other part, the HOB, costs about 3000yen (US$25.00 ???). Hook them together and fill the HOB with LR rubble and Bob's your uncle...surface scum gone.

Also, you can run carbon or make a fuge in a HOB. A very useful thing for nano keepers.

You could check out nano-reef.com forums for a lot of helpful posts on HOBs.

[Rogger Castells]

gotcha, thanks

[Brad-DA]

Aqua clear mini is not loud at all !!
I have it sitting right next to my couch in my living room.
Also have a aq 300 fuge