Nano Surface Skimming Solution

Slakker

Slakker

Premium Member
I think I may have found a makeshift solution to the horrendous film we all seem to end up with on our nano tanks. I had an idea as I was preparing for my water change this evening. Overflows seem to solve the problem, right?

I took a cup and submerged the rim to just below the surface of the water, letting the water drain into it as might happen with a real overflow. What did I find? Cup full o' film! Sure, it's not a perfect solution, but it sure was easy, totally free, and has worked pretty well.

I've still got some surface film, sure, but it looks to be reduced quite a bit, and I think if I did say half a gallon every week like this, i would at the very least be able to keep it at a reasonable level.



Anyone else with surface film problems wanna give this a shot and post how it goes?
 
I do this pretty regularly. I try to take my water off of the top with a cup or small pitcher. I can definitely tell a difference for a few days.

--Colin
 
The only easy hands-free solution is doing a surface skimmer mod or pointing a strong flow to the surface of the water. Some use the sprayer bar method, but that also increase evaporation. Personally, I go with the surface skimmer mod and strong flow to surface. Skimming by hand gets old real fast.

But if you have to do it by hand, I think your way is the best solution.
 
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Agitate the surface - never worry about film - with the added benefit of increasing co2 exchange. I'm not even sure I've ever seen this film so many mention. Sounds like a flow problem to me.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10412988#post10412988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
Agitate the surface - never worry about film - with the added benefit of increasing co2 exchange. I'm not even sure I've ever seen this film so many mention. Sounds like a flow problem to me.
Click to expand...

I think mostly it has to do with what the tank is fed, environment the tank is kept in, how clean hands are that enter the tank, etc. But with nano tanks, many do not notice it, the best way to see surface film if it exists, is go get down below surface level and look up at the surface. If not surface skimming, you will more than likely see a film, or at the very least dust accumulation.

What is this skimmer mod someone spoke of earlier?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10412988#post10412988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
Agitate the surface - never worry about film - with the added benefit of increasing co2 exchange. I'm not even sure I've ever seen this film so many mention. Sounds like a flow problem to me.
Click to expand...

I do agitate the surface quite a bit. I've got an MJ900 pointed at an angle towards the surface. My tank is right at eye level to me when i'm sitting down in my desk chair, so i get a bit of a view of the underside of the surface when i'm normally looking at it. The top of my tank is completely open, so it doesn't take long for dust and stuff to accumulate.

I plan to mod an AC70 into a mini fuge and add a surface skimmer to that, so perhaps that will take care of it.
 
I'm just now beginning to experiment with the BioSystem filter by Foster & Smith. The smallest is a "15" (gal) but I've made some minor omissions and have managed to sit it in a 3 gal setup. This filter has a skimmer that would probably work better in a 10 gal or bigger tank, and without having made the parts ommissions, but I'm going to try it for a week or so and will let the readers here know my opinion on this piece of equipment.
 
A guy on one of the other boards I frequent did this really cool thing with a hob filter/fuge he took some 1 in. or 1 1/2 in pvc pipe cut it around the top like you would an over flow then put that over the intake of the hob filter so that it sucked the water from the top of the tank instead of the middle.
 
I've never seen it be an issue to link from other sites...thanks! That looks like a great idea, I may just do that when I get my fuge set up!
 
Thanks for the cup info, I never thought of that. I kind of agitate the surface with the flow from the pump, but it doesn't work to great. I will tri the cup.
 
can also just stop all filters pumps and such and toss a paper towel on the surface and that will clean/suck up the surface film.
 
Not a bad idea...it took me almost a full gallon of scooping to get rid of my film, that could probably be done on a daily basis...hmmm...
 
The Foster and Smith BioSystem Filter (W/ surface skimmer) works pretty good. If you already are using a Hang-on-back filter and would replace it or have room for another HOB filter, and have at least 9 inch tank height and $18 + shipping (for 15 gal model), this will clear up surface film in 15 minutes and keep it gone, and do 3 stage filtration too. (if needed)

I'm trying to talk them into making a nano size version (3-6 gal), using same concept, and that would accommodate a small heater .. this would help with a lot of issues common to nano systems.

P.S. If you have only 7 - 9 inch tank height, you can make the filter work by leaving off the strainer, and shutting off bottom feed completely, and perhaps placing the lower inlet into the tank, while keeping the bottom 1/3 of small plastic dixie cup situated at the inlet in case the bottom water inlet feed does get opened up a bit, it won't suck in a bunch of gravel ... works for me. It still takes in water from mid level and surface level about 60/40 (mostly mid level water)
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10423537#post10423537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nano7joy
can also just stop all filters pumps and such and toss a paper towel on the surface and that will clean/suck up the surface film.
Click to expand...

That works, just make sure you have a bucket for the soggy paper towel ;) .
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10424145#post10424145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Colin
I ordered one of these. It will be interesting to see how it works.

--Colin
Click to expand...

I'm planning on getting one of those when I get my AC70-fuge up and running, let us know how it works.
 
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