How to Surface Skim with a Canister

[tprize]

For simplicity some of us would like to use something like the fluval fx5. No Overflows, gurgle sound air bubbles etc.

But there is one flaw with this filter, i leaves the nasty stuff on the surface of the water, so what is a good clean looking way of getting this stuff gone?

 

[six.line]

Get a small powerhead, place it toward the bottom of the tank and angle it up. You want good surface agitation anyway. That breaks up the film and keeps it from forming on the surface.

Then get a protein skimmer to remove that gunk from the aquarium.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hop]

Eheim and a few other companies make a surface film extractor or a surface skimmer intake assembly. From what I hear, they are a little frustrating to get working, but after you get them figured out, they work well. The planted tank world uses them quite frequently.

 

[rodd1rj]

You can also try putting the intake in the center of a like 1 1/2" or 2" pvc. Cut the pvc to the desired hieght of the water level. Put as many slats in the top end of the pvc.

 

[tprize]

So a couple Tunzee's will break the stuff of the surface, then a HOB skimmer will pull it out then.

 

[Hop]

Here is a link for the Eheim Surface Extractor

 

[six.line]

You can also try putting the intake in the center of a like 1 1/2" or 2" pvc. Cut the pvc to the desired hieght of the water level. Put as many slats in the top end of the pvc.

I had very little luck with that, but if you can get it to work, it would very adequately break up the gunk.

 

[00nothing]

those surface skimmers suck and for a filter like an fx5 it would easily overpower is skimming ability i use the skimmer portion of a hob overflow and stick the intake in the box, its a little big but I am going to make a new one soon that is smaller and better fit to my tank. By making the hanging bracket separate from the skimming box and then using a loose fitting nylon bolt the box will drop as water levels drop in case u aren't on top of ure top ups

top right corner

 

[tkeracer619]

If you put an overflow on a canister filter, your top of is critical as the water level in the overflow is all you will have available to evap before problems are caused.

If you go the overflow route add a sump.

I would add some surface agitation and a skimmer.

 

[patel]

I use a Fluval Surface Skimmer on a planted tank, it works very well.

There is a adjustment in the center which you can use to balance the amount of water sucked in from the surface vs. water sucked in from the return tube. In this way you can make it draw just a little water from the surface, just enough to break up the film.

It also has a 'floating top' (not sure exactly what it's called), but it floats on some entrapped air. If the water level drops, the head drops too. Water level drops of 1/2" were no problem.

 

[tprize]

So what do you guys think the surface skimmer, or power heads and skimmer?

 

[atf72]

Just put your cannister intake in a piece of 1 or 1.5" PCV pipe, cap the bottom and drill a few small holes around the bottom. Slot the top at the correct levels and it will work like a charm. Plus, if you get lazy and the water level falls below your slots, the holes in the bottom will provide water to keep the pump running. Mine works like a charm and cost a couple of bucks.

 

[Danger731]

That is an awsome idea !, Got pics ?

 

[atf72]

 

[tprize]

How do you attach the pvc to the flex tubing?

 

[atf72]

I use an eheim ecco filter and the intake is hard plastic, then it turns to flex hose outside the tank. Either way, just insert the intake down into the pvc however you choose. As an option, I epoxied 2 suction cups to the back so I did not have to make the piece as tall as the tank.