Gray film on water surface

[DjPhato]

Hi All, I have a 36in long peninsula with 2 nero 5 and the return pump (sicce syncra SDC 6.0) on one side of the tank. Nero are running at 50% (roughly 2000gph) and the return pump at 22%. Overflow is on the same side of the pumps. I do see a gray film/patina on the water surface (see picture attached) and I was wondering if you have any suggestions or advice to get rid of it.
If possible, I would avoid adding a pump to that side of the tank since it will look “less clean”. I tried to increase the pump potency but i run into the problem of sucking air and creating bubbles. Thanks

 

[JohnL]

Have you tried mechanical filtration?

 

[Reefing102]

It’s hard to tell where your overflow is, but in my experience, it’s just surface scum that has hasn’t made its way to the overflow.

It looks like your pumps are pushing it away from the overflow. Perhaps turn off the pumps for a half hour/hour to allow that surface water to circulate back to the overflow?

In any case, it will likely continue to happen. Is it possible to slide one of the Nero’s down or put them both on the same side to create a more rotational flow

 

[griss]

It’s hard to tell where your overflow is, but in my experience, it’s just surface scum that has hasn’t made its way to the overflow.

It looks like your pumps are pushing it away from the overflow. Perhaps turn off the pumps for a half hour/hour to allow that surface water to circulate back to the overflow?

In any case, it will likely continue to happen. Is it possible to slide one of the Nero’s down or put them both on the same side to create a more rotational flow

That's my thinking as well.

 

[Urka]

I had the same issue and resolved it by adding a small aquarium surface skimmer. Amazon.com. Just an option for you.

 

[DjPhato]

Yes guys, this is exactly as I also think, the two pumps push only towards the glass and away from the overflow. For aesthetic reasons I would keep them both on that overflow side and for a flow quality I would not put them one on top of each other.
But I tried something and it seems to be working for now, I set them up so that one shuts off and the other goes to 100% potency for 30min (2am to 2:30 am) every day, this seems to clean up the surface for sometime and keeping that routine seems to do the trick.

 

[DjPhato]

I had the same issue and resolved it by adding a small aquarium surface skimmer. Amazon.com. Just an option for you.

This looks an option but will need to be installed on the opposite side where I purposely do not have any equipment in order to have it neat