My Dirty Water

[freeman.matt]

With a HOB filter, you could make an in tank overflow. Get a plastic cup and (magnet, glue, clamp, whatever) it just below the surface of the water. Stick the input pipe of the filter in the cup and have the filter return back into the main tank as usual. You'll probably have to play with the cup level a little to find a nice equilibrium, but it can be done.

While this won't let the filter skim the surface, it will at least concentrate the film and gunk out of sight. The cup is just a suggestion, you could use some plexiglass panels and make a nicer looking box.

Good luck.

[hobogato]

the last idea of the cup is a good one for a quick fix. on my first reef, the tank wasn't drilled so i used a plastic bread box (about a 5 inch square by 12 inches deep). i cut notches in the top like the overflow on a RR tank. i was using a magnum canister filter at the time. it actually worked pretty well. now, on the 125 that i have set up as a reef (also not RR) i made a continuous syphon overflow box out of acrylite that is working great with my wet dry filter. i would be glad to help you make one if you are interested.

[GaryP]

The ink in newspaper is made from Soy beans. Your LR is shipped wrapped in newspaper. There's no antibacterial agent in any paper towels that I know of, unless you buy some special kind. If there was some there, by law (Federal Fungicide, Insecticidie, & Rodenticide Act) it would have to be disclosed to the consumer. They do use some antibacterial compounds in the manufacturing process, such as ozone and chlorine dioxide, but there is no residual in the paper and if there was it would be depleted very rapidly.

[demodiki]

Wife here and yeah I've been keeping an eye on the thread. The junk IN the water that he's crying.. err talking :innocent about are microbubbles. At least that's sure what they look like to me!

And as for the research after I bought our fishy - my instructions from the hubby were thus: "Buy something pretty". So I better not hear complaining!!! :lol

I think we'll need pictures or something if we're going to try to make some kind of overflow/sumpish/skimmy contraption. Our skimmer isn't the best, but it's better than none at all!

Thanks for all the help guys

[demodiki]

Husband back in control...the microbubbles are IN the tank...they're not the things floating at the top that "part" when I put my finger in the water.

My wife wears strong contacts you see...

[Shark_Bait]

Eheim makes a suface skimmer for HOB filters. I know if you go to DrsFosterSmith.com and search for surface in the fish section it will be there. They might work for you. Was going to post the links but way to long.

<<<Aside note how do we turn HTML codes on in a post? >>>

[GaryP]

they're not the things floating at the top that "part" when I put my finger in the water.

That's the organic waste I referred to in the previous post. Its not unusual in tanks lacking surface skimming.

[Thunderkat]

Husband back in control...the microbubbles are IN the tank...they're not the things floating at the top that "part" when I put my finger in the water.

My wife wears strong contacts you see...

Welcome to the dog house :lol