Quick Question Regarding Surface Skimmers

[ShoC]

Hi I have a planted tank but cant stand the surface film... it does build up and reduce my lights penetration.

just curious how much co2 I could potentially loose... Im using a 1200lph Tetratec
on I think 125litre 22.5gal (of top of my head)

I can up the power of my Co2 output no problem.. currently I have my spray bar (one section) aimed at my surface to agitate the water to reduce the film but its nothing compared to a surface skimmer...
my Drop checkers still green so thats a plus
any one got a recomendation if there is not to much of a side affect.

on a side note I now got nice poer back up incase of a power cut
bought a UPS This a little bit of wiring cutting and I'm all hooked up
works like a charm been used 2-3 times allready lasts a good 20 min depending what I have hooked to it at the time

 

[aaronnorth]

there will be less CO2 lossed because the gaseous echange can not happen aswell if there were nothing there.

try upping your CO2 & nutrients.

I cant remember exactly but if the plants are not getting enough nutrients then they release something which creates this.

Plants naturally secrete carbohydrates and lipids into the water column as part of their natural metabolic processes. This is organic waste, and the higher the light/CO2 the more waste is produced. If there was no surface movement at all you would see some buildup. If nutrient uptake is poor or inefficient the plants become stressed and unhealthy. When this occurs ejection of lipids and organic waste becomes uncontrolled (think diarrhea or vomiting). Lipids are the basic building block of fats and oils so release of this product results in the oily film. Ejected carbohydrate and some proteins cause the other types of debris such as the brown detritus-looking floating particles. Bacteria often feed on this flotsam/jetsam since it is high in carbon. This film then becomes it's own floating world.

found it

quote from Clive on UKAPS

 

[RadaR]

50% water changes a week helped get rid of the surface film in my tank.

 

[SuperColey1]

'Allegedly' it is carbohydrate that is released from plants that aren't quite at their best. 'Allegedly' it shouldn't happen in an EI tank that has sufficient circulation for the CO2.

With your filter on your size tank you should be able to get enough surface turbulence to never worry what causes it. I use a Tetratec EX700 on the same size tank with the spraybar pointing very slightly downward and I don't see any film. My spraybar holes are between 1½ and 2 inches below the surface.

AC

 

[ShoC]

'Allegedly' it is carbohydrate that is released from plants that aren't quite at their best. 'Allegedly' it shouldn't happen in an EI tank that has sufficient circulation for the CO2.

With your filter on your size tank you should be able to get enough surface turbulence to never worry what causes it. I use a Tetratec EX700 on the same size tank with the spraybar pointing very slightly downward and I don't see any film. My spraybar holes are between 1½ and 2 inches below the surface.

AC

I point one segmant slightly at the surface creating turbulance but no bubbles occur this has cleared it.
And thanks to the first post that pointed out that it could be a nutrient issue causing film... thats interesting, I'm currently using Flora boost not an EI dose I allways say I'll look into it but never do

but my original question how much Co2 loss would occure with a surface skimmer and anyone using them happily in their planted tank?