Film or Skum on the surface

[Trae]

Noticed from antother post that Chuck experienced Skum (skim) on the surface of his aquarium. I noticed that I get the same thing. It happens when I add water. Not all the time only sometimes. If you stir it up it leaves little wax looking particles floating around. It will accumulate in bubbles on the sides of the tank (above the water line).

I feel that it was or is contaminents in the 5gl. water container that I move the water around in. I get my water from a Culligan station at Wal-Mart. Not the best but it is RO, carbon filtered, some other process as well as a final UV treatment.

I usually let it collect on the upper walls of the tank then scoop it up.

Any ideas on what it is????

Thanks,
Trae

[Tim Marvin]

If you point a powerhead to the top of the water for surface aggitation or surface skim it will usually cure this problem.

[Trae]

Thanks Tim,

Enjoyed the visit on Friday. Everything but one frag survived and look great. The one that did not make it was my fault. After acclimating all of the bags I left one frag at the bottom of one. Two days later I found it. But the rest look great. Will take some photos in the next few days. As you know things are getting crazy around here for the next few days.

Thanks,
Trae

[Tim Marvin]

Great, glad to here all is well. I'll bet things are crazy! Good luck with that buddy.

[Chuck]

Hi Trae,
That skim is past tense and Tim called it right on the money :o . I didnt have enough movement on the surface was all. adjust your a power head or two (not sure how many you use) and it should clear up in a day or so.
Chuck

[TexasState]

JimD use an airstone from a lower power pump to clear out the surface grimes on his 65G breeder reef tank. Lower power airstone close to the surface so you don't get too much salt spray from the air bubbles surfacing.