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Post by benjswanson on Apr 5, 2019 12:52:35 GMT -5
Hello...I've recently moved and I'm in the process of re-setting up my 40B planted tank. I've been looking into updating some of my equipment, and one item that keeps coming up is a surface skimmer (not a protein skimmer). Some folks suggest they are absolutely necessary, some suggest they aren't necessary at all. I'd like the community's opinion? Also, if I should purchase one, how/where would I hook it up if my current setup includes a sponge and pump at my intake, out to a FSB filter and UV and then return. Do I "split" my intakes to the pump? Do I put a sponge on the intake of the skimmer and pump from the skimmer only? Or do I have to just hook the skimmer up to a new pump or purchase one with a little pump attached?
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Apr 6, 2019 12:30:04 GMT -5
I would just get a eheim skimmer. That's what I have. I only got it though when I started to inject co2 and noticed a lot at the service, so this helps recirculates it. It does do a good job skimming plant leaf off the top too. Just has to be cleaned like twice a month and does put air bubbles into the tank. www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/accessories/cleaning/new-surface-skimmer |
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Post by Carl on Apr 8, 2019 9:24:20 GMT -5
Whether you need it might depend upon whether or not you see oils and debris on the surface. Besides the before mentioned Eheim, if a HOB Filter is needed, the AAP/SeaChem Tidal filter has a built in surface skimmer www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TidalFilter.htmlCarl |
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Post by jaypeecee on Nov 28, 2019 7:16:58 GMT -5
Whether you need it might depend upon whether or not you see oils and debris on the surface. Besides the before mentioned Eheim, if a HOB Filter is needed, the AAP/SeaChem Tidal filter has a built in surface skimmer www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TidalFilter.htmlCarl Hi Folks, I'm having problems with a persistent oily film on the water surface. Not only is it unsightly but it obviously interferes with gas exchange. As I have a planted tank, I'm using CO2 injection. And the CO2 bubbles get trapped under the surface film. Consequently, the dissolved CO2 concentration can potentially rise to greater than 30ppm. I ensure that this doesn't happen by manually dispersing the film to release any trapped CO2. I am considering the Eheim skim350. But, I'd prefer to address the root cause of this film build-up. I try very hard to prevent DOC build-up in my tank. I remove any organic waste on the substrate by syphoning, I do not over-feed my fish and all plants are healthy therefore not contributing to dissolved organics. I also use Seachem Renew in my external filter but I'm starting to lose my trust in this product. I could try Seachem Purigen but I am nervous about using this because of the regeneration with bleach. And there's also Seachem MatrixCarbon. I use Renew because it is what Seachem recommend for planted tanks. Gosh, my brain hurts. I don't know which way to turn! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. JPC |
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Nov 29, 2019 12:12:24 GMT -5
Whether you need it might depend upon whether or not you see oils and debris on the surface. Besides the before mentioned Eheim, if a HOB Filter is needed, the AAP/SeaChem Tidal filter has a built in surface skimmer www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TidalFilter.htmlCarl Hi Folks, I'm having problems with a persistent oily film on the water surface. Not only is it unsightly but it obviously interferes with gas exchange. As I have a planted tank, I'm using CO2 injection. And the CO2 bubbles get trapped under the surface film. Consequently, the dissolved CO2 concentration can potentially rise to greater than 30ppm. I ensure that this doesn't happen by manually dispersing the film to release any trapped CO2. I am considering the Eheim skim350. But, I'd prefer to address the root cause of this film build-up. I try very hard to prevent DOC build-up in my tank. I remove any organic waste on the substrate by syphoning, I do not over-feed my fish and all plants are healthy therefore not contributing to dissolved organics. I also use Seachem Renew in my external filter but I'm starting to lose my trust in this product. I could try Seachem Purigen but I am nervous about using this because of the regeneration with bleach. And there's also Seachem MatrixCarbon. I use Renew because it is what Seachem recommend for planted tanks. Gosh, my brain hurts. I don't know which way to turn! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. JPC I'm pretty sure it's caused from the Co2. I have a tank I inject co2 and it has the same oil on the top of the water. I used the Eheim skimmer. When the skimmer gets full and doesn't skim right, the oil comes back. It's nice to have the skimmer too, because it takes the co2 thats floated to the surface it gets reput into aquarium. I did loss a whole tank of fish from the oil before I got the skimmer... I had my power head get clogged, and the oil on the surface, made it so there was no o2 exchange. The skimmer has a pump built in, so it just suctions to the glass and draws water to the top that floats on the water surface. The tidal filter is another option. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 29, 2019 13:32:02 GMT -5
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