Mould Under Tank Lid

[aturner]

The inside of the lid of my tank is getting a build-up of slimy green mould immediately above the position of the air brick. It is permanently damp from the air bubbles breaking the surface.

I'm sure that lowering the water level would help but I'd prefer to keep the water line hidden behind the top trim around the tank. Any ideas, please? If I use an external pump/filter, is there something that I can fit inline with that to aerate the water instead of using an air brick?

Thanks
andrew

 

[aturner]

I'd like to add another question here... Is it just me or do others have this problem too?

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Rooster]

Everyone gets it ! If you switch to an external, you do NOT need to airate - the movement of water at the surface is enough to do the job !
Having said that - you will probably still get mould growth in the hood, as its always a cooler surface than the water, and condensation will form.

Only ways out of it are:

Dont have a hood
Use "cover glasses" (or plastic drip trays - but these are rubbish !)
Ventilate the hood with fans
Clean off the mould every so often

I get it in my home brew wooden hood and just give it a wipe now and again with a baby wipe !

 

[aturner]

If you switch to an external, you do NOT need to airate - the movement of water at the surface is enough to do the job !

I am about to switch to an external Eheim pump/filter, more or less like this one...

... the U-tube in that picture returns the water to the tank. Is that what you're referring to, i.e. I can lose the air pump?

Assuming that's a "YES", and just to be doubly safe here, what are the tell-tale signs of insufficient aeration?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[peteg]

just to be doubly safe here, what are the tell-tale signs of insufficient aeration?

Dead fish
Or rapid gill movement and your fish staying near thr surface. As long as your filter sucks water from near the bottom of the tank and pushes it back out near the surface you should be fine.