Whats this stuff on the water surface? (pic)

[TavisB]

Something new in our class nano reef. I skimmed it all off the surface of the water a few days ago and its back again today.

This tanks coming down in a few weeks anyway, but I'm curious about what I'm seeing.

 

[rbursek]

I do not know but I used to get a film after awhile until I aimed a ph torwds the surface to break up the tension.

 

[TavisB]

I may try to get some under a microscope...

 

[TavisB]

a better view...

 

[masterfuji01]

I have no idea what that is....but it sure id awesome to see those microscope pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[seapug]

mucus, algae, poop, any other polar molecule that reefs generate en masse. It blocks light and prevents gas exchange...bad for a reef tank. No amount of surface agitation will get rid of it-- only push it around.

This is a great picture to demonstrate why having a surface skimming overflow with a sump is a good idea.

 

[rhkingsfan]

Were you painting your ceiling green with an open top tank?

 

[RyanMKintz]

are you running a sump with a overflow?? this should help or how about a surface skimmer

 

[TavisB]

No skimmer, no sump. just a HOB fuge. I really wanted to help the kids build a skimmer for this tank, but we just ran out of time. It will be next years project. In a couple of weeks this tanks getting pulled apart and everything is going in my frag tank for the summer. A sump might find its way into next years setup, I think I have an extra 15g tank thats already drilled hanging around here somewhere...