are those 'surface skimmer' attachments ok to use with a canister filter?

[bigbubbacain]

In my 60 gal. FOWLR tank, I have a Fluval surface skimmer attached to the input of my canister filter. I bought it after I notice a heavy powdery film floating on my water. (is this calcium??) Anyway, this skimmer attachment does a great job of keeping floating debris off the water, but I've noticed my protein skimmer doesn't collect as much as it used to----even though the protein skimmer intake is a good 2 inches below the water line. Is this a problem? Will there be too much protein going through the biological media in my canister filter, or can it handle this? Obviously, I'll be cleaning out my filter more often. I can't stand to see any kind of crap floating on the surface of my water, but if these skimmer attachments are a bad idea, what would be a better alternative? Possibly periodic use of the skimmer attachment? Is there a better way?


Bubba

 

[papagimp]

Most dissolved organics and oils will collect on the surface, this is probably the "film" you are seeing. Adding the surface attachment will definatly help to rid that, but as you already noticed, the canister is grabbing alot of that stuff prior to your skimmer getting it. Personally I wouldn't worry about it, I'd rather have no oily residue or film on the surface than a skimmer filling up daily with surface film still present. Try adjusting the skimmer to compensate. Just keep in mind that buildup on the surface can help keep oxygen and gasses from exchanging properly. How's your surface agitation?

 

[bigbubbacain]

Thanks for the reply!

Thanks for the reply!

Surface agitations is pretty good. I have a powerhead attached to the output of my can. filter, which gives it a nice boost. I lightly opened the venturi on it, so I also have some bubbles to help break things up. I was mainly concerned about the surface 'stuff' not being collected in the skimmer cup. This made me wonder if it wasn't just recirculating through the canister filter, and what effect it would have on all of my filtration media..

 

[bertoni]

Surface skimmers are useful, in my experience, and I think the one on your canister should be fine. The system might be a bit more efficient if the surface skimmer was on the protein skimmer, but I doubt that it'd be a major difference.

 

[coast2coast7390]

it should work ive never tried it