Getting Rid of Surface Oil Slick - Video Of Tank

[asonitez]

So I have had my tank setup for a few months now and things are mostly going great. I got 1 issues that is driving me absolutely insane.

#1 - The Vortech Pumps I have installed are moving water like a champion. The corals are not irritated and flow is fine. I'm running both on ReefCrest @ 80%

However, from what I am seeing the vortechs is not reaching water into the nooks and crannies of the rock to push out waste. This is bad cause when I dust off the rocks I get a ton of particulates in the water which feeds the corals so I'm not too bummed about that.

What happens after though... is that the SURFACE of my water is consistently FILTHY. Even with the overflows slightly angled up I can't seem to break up the nasty slick on the surface of the water. I can't put the vortech too close to the surface either cuz it sucks air.


I figured adding 2 pumps to the tank near the surface angled AT the surface will create the agitation I'm looking for please help me decide.


($135) 2 Hydor Gen 3 Koralias 1395GPH - with the new Suction Cup mount. Means I can angle it from the back wall of the tank near the surface.


($499) Neptune Apex WAV Kit. - I've been toying with selling my Vortechs and investing in 2 kits for 4 pumps total. Since Neptune stupidly only put 3 ports on the 1 link I'm forced to get 2.. At least I might be able to sell my Vectra L1 and get a Cor20 - the Vectra L1 is WAY overpowered for my tank. Its running at 40%


(+- 150/160) Jebao RW- Type pumps. - These are pretty well known but I hear they are loud and will need replacing. I still got 10 year old Koralia pumps Rocking out!


https://youtu.be/QiE6eNXRG5U


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiE6eNXRG5U" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MondoBongo]

are you using a sump or overflow? the best way to remove that oil slick from the surface is to have some surface skimming going on, usually from an overflow weir. it gets all that nasty stuff off the top and sends it down to the sump for the skimmer to deal with.

i see you said you have your overflows "angled up" but i'm not really sure what that means.

you will never get 100% flow that doesn't allow detritus to accumulate. there will always be some spots where it likes to hang. this is why a lot of people blow off their rocks during water changes with a turkey baster, or use a powerhead/pump that they can hold in their hand and aim around the tank prior to a water change. gets all that nasty stuff up off the rocks and in to the water column for removal.

 

[asonitez]

I have a overflow. I just don't have enough surface agitation to break it up and allow it to go over the overflow.

 

[lapin]

Instead of spending the bank on something expensive, you can get $10.00 Chinese powerheads like this and see if it works first.
https://www.amazon.com/Microsystems...15533898&sr=8-10&keywords=power+head+aquarium

I got a 4 pack of them to cycle my rock in 100 gallon tubs. All 4 worked out of the box.

 

[Xxero]

They also make these surface skimmer pumps:

https://www.marinedepot.com/Eheim_Skim350_Micro_Surface_Skimmer_Water_Pump_Driven_Filters-Eheim-EH35027-FIFRITWP-vi.html?utm_source=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=EH35027&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwcCExIfM2AIVlq_sCh3K-w1rEAQYAiABEgLZFfD_BwE

 

[saf1]

I'm surprised the water isn't moving fast enough at the surface to break the film. I had a similar issue with my 40 breeder although I don't have a overflow. I aimed one of my RW8's towards the surface and it is braking it up fine now and my HOB skimmer is able to process it now. You might want to try adding a power head at the surface and let it agitate it.

 

[asonitez]

Getting Rid of Surface Oil Slick - Video Of Tank

Yup that's the point and exactly what I was asking here. I tried 2 small pumps just now and it made a huge difference. I'm going to order the hydor pumps the gen 3 1300 ish gph ones for the back wall aimed at the surface.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dmorty217]

Every tank has it pretty much unless you have a ton of flow. I have the film in my 625g even with 2 MP60s, Tunze 6305, MP40 and a L1 all running at 75-100%

 

[Kevin Guthrie]

It is possible to point powerheads such that the surface water is pushed away from the overflow. Just reposition the powerheads so that the flow is toward the overflow instead. The thick surface scum will never form in the first place.

 

[biecacka]

not if he is only using vortices


corey

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Once I started using Seachem Pristine my oil slicks disappeared.

 

[ctripi]

The Ehiem product works OK in a freshwater tank. But I wouldn't consider it for a salt tank because it would be a huge source of microbubbles in your display tank. And biofouling / calcium build-up or adventurous snails with negatively influence the units performance and contribute to the bubbles.

One trick to consider is to plumb a return line that discharges the water right above the tank water surface level. The slick may get pulled down into the water column where the skimmer can get at it.
Another trick would be to place a HOB filter with the output just above the water surface.
Last trick would be the 'old-school skim' the surface with newspaper or paper towels. Just place on the surface and pull off the slick as needed.