Now I have bubbles and film on the water...

[Lisaod12]

I had the nasty white slim and now the slim is pretty much gone, I'm getting more red slim algae and a bubbly film on the surface of my water. I'm worried because that is how the slim started.

I have only had film on the surface since I moved my tank 2 months ago (I have had the tank many years) and I'm not really sure what to do. I tried to siphon it off, and pull it off with a net, but that appears not to work. I'm still doing weekly water changes.

I do have a new External Hang-On Refugium, and I did move the tank. Is this normal?

What can I do to fix the problem?

[manny]

Do you have a skimmer Lisaod?

[manny]

I mean Lisa

[brewercm]

Also do you have any type of surface skimmer for the surface water. I noticed before I put a surface skimmer onto one of my tanks all that stuff floating on top would cause terrible algae blooms.
Not sure if it changes the light spectrum getting down through the water or what but the area that the film built up over was where it would grow. The other side of the tanks water was clear on top do to a power head keeping the buildup on the other side of tank.

[alexwolf]

i have yet to see a surface skimmer, what do they look like?

[dan]

your corner dams are surface skimmers. the other type are the ones i build that hang on the back with overflow tubes

[GaryP]

Lisa,

What you have is a film of organic waste, mainly proteins and fatty acids. Its floating on top of your water like oil, which is basically what it is. You either need to add a skimmer, or maybe tune your skimmer if you already have one, or mechanically remove the film. Someone else mentioned floating newspaper on top of their nano reef to remove the film. This basically blots it up. If you have an overflow box, I would try to adjust it upwards so that you get the thinnest possible layer of water being skimmed with the most velocity. Hope that helps. This is why I plan on adding a Calfo type skimmer to my next tank.

Gary

[dan]

Lisaod12, what are you useing to filter your tank? wet/dry,bio wheel or power filter?

[dan]

GaryP, the only problem with moving your skimmer up is you only raise the water hight in the tank. it will not skim any better. she might have to powerful of a pump which would raise the water to far above the teeth. at that point water is forced in under the surface causeing the surface to be still. somthing to do with surface tenstion

[TAXMAN]

Well, I havent seen a response on what type of overflow that is being used.

If you have an overflow of any kind, you need to slow down the amount of RETURN water to your tank. You will need some type of Valve on your pump SUPPLY. Do not put any restricting device on the inlet to the pump.
The main reson for this nasty junk on top of the water that I have found is that the water level inside the overflow is not BELOW the slits in the overflow. The inside water level on the overflow has to be lower than the slits. If it is not, look at it closely. Put some flake food in the tank or just watch the slime/oil junk itself. You will notice that it may enter the overflow and just come right back out. I have had this same problem.

The water that is actualy going down to your sump is not the SURFACE water. It is water just below the surface. So hense the water on the surface NEVER gets filtered and will become like stagnent water in a non flowing pond.

If you have a skimmer you shouldnt have to add any type of filter media to get rid of the oily mess. Just make sure the water in the overflow is below the slits and run the skimmer. It will get all of this mess out.

I hope this works for you. It should.

[Lisaod12]

Thanks everyone. I do have a skimmer and an overflow, but I think the water level inside the overflow is not BELOW the slits in the overflow. I have a good skimmer and will give your suggestions a shot. Thanks!

[dan]

if the water is not below the slits inside the skimmer cup than you are not skimming which would answer why you have a slime on your surface. if the water are at same level you need to slow your pump down or get a bigger skimmer with a bigger drain.

[TAXMAN]

Yea. Thats your problem. Get the water in the overflow below the slits. This will clear you right up.

Glad I could help.