Film on new nano

[auntievan]

Started my 12 gallon aqua a couple of weeks back. By the way I think they are excellent. Anyway, I've started to get the old protein film on the surface. I've always used a protein skimmer on my 46 bow and 20...both reefs. This is my first experience with a self contained unit. I'm only running the included carbon and sponge filter. I've read some good and bad about the little fission skimmer. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all, Mary K.

 

[abernaka]

auntievan

auntievan

Does the pump make enough ripples on the surface to break the skum layer up? I don't run a skimmer on my 12g, but I do have a 10g sump 3.5' fall to the sump, and returning with a rio 2100 with a scwd. My sump return makes a little vortex cyclone that skims the top.

 

[auntievan]

Pump seems to make enough ripples. I just picked up a product from work. Seachem's...Purigen...it's described as a synthetic absorbent. Any one here used this product before. And what are your thoughts.
Mary K.

 

[auntievan]

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[abernaka]

Auntievan,
Have you changed any water? Maybe removing a sponge block to increase flow. What is that sorbant suppose to obsorb?

good luck- nice pic's

 

[auntievan]

Abernaka,
I removed the Purigen, and bag of carbon that came with the aquapod and slipped an Eclipse filter in a chamber. Seems to be doing the trick...the slick is finally clearing. Oh and I change about a gallon every 4 days.
Thank you Abernaka
Auntievan

 

[davidryder]

i'm using purigen also. the water is crystal clear, but i can't conclude that it's because of purigen. the pillow is changing colors though, so i'm sure it's doing something

 

[auntievan]

Perhaps I should have given it more of a chance. I tend to get a little impatient. lol
Oh, and Abernaca...kudos on your pictures as well.

 

[mr pink floyd]

take out sponge, it becomesa nitrate factory

 

[auntievan]

Mr Pink...take out sponge on a regular basis...change out for new or are you saying to remove entirely?

 

[abernaka]

auntievan,
I think Mr. pink floyd is suggesting to remove the sponges because they tend to behousing for all kinds of bacteria and oter stuff. I would agree with Mr. P. floyd I was also willing to add that I think your tank is still new and if it is I would take out the ceramic bag now and then after each month remove one sponge for 2 months or until you have only one sponge. I would also advise 1g per week water change and to rinse all sponges that your using with old water to remove detritus and replace as I said above.

good luck hope this helps!

 

[auntievan]

Thanks for all the great advise! Actually I never even installed the ceramic bag. Abernaka, the tank is only about 3 weeks old. I do small water changes in all of my 3 tanks every Monday and Friday.

 

[dead beat reef]

very nice 12 pod. I just started one. did a few flow tests and
found that the sponge that came with the pod was too tall and
blocked the over flow slots. I cut the spounge in half and sealed
the mid level slots with silicone. no film on the top of water. you
might try to cut the sponge till it is atleast 2 or more inches
below the slots in the top overflow but still blocks the mid level
slots. that way you get a water fall to skim the surface.

 

[auntievan]

D.B.R...that is the first thing I did...cut a couple of inches off the sponge. Still had the film. Since putting in the Eclipse filter (12 gallon one) things are looking good. I'll pick up another and remove the sponge all together and put it in the first chamber as well. That will give me 2 Elipse filters in a row.

 

[dead beat reef]

hey aunti to bad the sponge thing was not a easy fix. Im like
you just starting a 12 pod. picked up a fission yesterday to
early to tell about it. let us know how it goes. G.F.I. dbr

 

[auntievan]

D.B.R. did you happen to change your pump, as some have...and if so, which one did you go with. I've read much debate over the fission. Let me know if it's a keeper or not. I've always believed in small frequent water changes and keeping a protein skimmer going 24/7.
Thanks Auntievan

 

[sandslinger]

surface scum

surface scum

I have a 12 gallon nano also, If you take a old casset case appart and use the front portion right over the intake it becomes a surface skimmer, works excellent and takes about 2 secs to put in. Put the open end toward the top of corse... If it doesnt make sense let me know ill get a pic for you

 

[auntievan]

Ok, sandslinger you're right...I do need a visual.
Thanks Auntievan.