What could this be?

[Davidb6]

I have a cloudy film on the waters surface. Could this be oil, it doesn’t look shiny like oil, it just looks like a thin (whitish gray) film on the waters surface. I see no change in the tank clarity which would tell me it must be isolated to the top. See no change it tank inhabitants yet.

In- tank mechanicals -

Model 3 Mag-Drive Pump 350 gph. (in a profiler box for HOB skimmer) Web site says â€"œÃ¢â‚¬Å“Only one moving part no motor seals to wear or leak.”

Mini-Jet 404 pump (used for HOB refugium). Took this pump out, cleaned the tank surface (paper towels) as best I could…film still there after 34 hrs. Put the pump back.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...AA&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=10-52186080-2

2 Koralia pumps (#2 & #3)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4585+15955&pcatid=15955

What else could this be?

Water tests are all normal (for my tank)

Sg -1.025
Temp - 78
Alk â€"œ 9 (using B-Ionic to increase)
PH 8.1
Calc -380 (using B-Ionic to increase)
Mag â€"œ 1550 (temporary increase to kill hair algae)
Amm 00
Nitrite -0
Nitrate -0
Phos - .1

Thanks

 

[dcs03tx]

Do you smoke?

 

[wrott]

If you point one of those hydors up a bit, it should agitate the surface enough to make the skim vanish.

 

[plyr58]

Do you have a protein skimmer?

 

[rkelman]

My tank does that if my overflow isn't adjusted low enough. I agree point a powerhead up to break it up.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Its just excess protein build up. If you have enough surface agitation this will not be a problem. I keep 2 maxijet 1200s pointed at the surface at all times in my 125g. This along with my overflows and return keep the film away.

 

[Davidb6]

Thanks for the feedback -

I do not smoke and yes I have a skimmer (HOB with a skimmer box using a Mag 3pump)

I do aim both hydros so they both cause some turbulence at the surface. I was concerned that this film would be a problem for the tank if not solved. If its excess protein and that is not a problem, I can live with that.

Thanks