skimmers

[finfayce]

i don’t know about aquarium skimmers other than they appear to be expensive. my tank with fish that eat frozen food gets a film on top. i’ve tried scooping it off with a fish net. i would like info on skimmers. thanks

 

[ChefAlex]

Broadly, the “film” that may appear floating on the water’s surface is likely a mix of lipids, proteins, algae, bacteria, particulate matter and microorganisms. Without a microscope, we can’t really identify exactly what the “film’s” composition is. It will vary from one aquarium to another. There is no definitive answer as to it’s cause and one hobbyists experience will be different from another, everything is purely anecdotal. In any case it is undesirable. It decelerates oxygen exchange, is unsightly and it’s microbiome is likely detrimental to aquaria health and stability.

I can not speak for surface skimmers that are seemingly popping up everywhere today, but I assume the popularity began when aquarists began replicating the ideaology of Takashi Amano. I am skeptical, to some degree, as these devices simply transfer the “film” from the surface of the water to filter media. The “film” may be out of sight, and oxygen levels improved, but it is still part of the water column. I am unaware of any legitimate studies done on these surface skimmers.

What I can tell you is I’ve easily removed surface “film” for years during water changes. I simply start a siphon with my python as usual, then angle the tube to the surface of the water. Creating a very thin layer of water, “skimming” into the tube creates a strong surface tension carrying all of the “film” down and out the tube. It may be difficult to picture this by reading text alone, but given a try you will figure out how this works. It will make a squeaking sort of flushing sound when done correctly. I do this during every water change and never have any “film” on top of any of my aquariums.

Hope this helps.

 

[Colin_T]

Are you talking about a surface skimmer for filter or a protein skimmer?

You can buy protein skimmers for marine tanks but they don't work in freshwater tanks.

Surface skimmers for filters in freshwater tanks can help remove the film from the water surface but aeration does the job too and is generally easier and cheaper to set up.

 

[finfayce]

Broadly, the “film” that may appear floating on the water’s surface is likely a mix of lipids, proteins, algae, bacteria, particulate matter and microorganisms. Without a microscope, we can’t really identify exactly what the “film’s” composition is. It will vary from one aquarium to another. There is no definitive answer as to it’s cause and one hobbyists experience will be different from another, everything is purely anecdotal. In any case it is undesirable. It decelerates oxygen exchange, is unsightly and it’s microbiome is likely detrimental to aquaria health and stability.

I can not speak for surface skimmers that are seemingly popping up everywhere today, but I assume the popularity began when aquarists began replicating the ideaology of Takashi Amano. I am skeptical, to some degree, as these devices simply transfer the “film” from the surface of the water to filter media. The “film” may be out of sight, and oxygen levels improved, but it is still part of the water column. I am unaware of any legitimate studies done on these surface skimmers.

What I can tell you is I’ve easily removed surface “film” for years during water changes. I simply start a siphon with my python as usual, then angle the tube to the surface of the water. Creating a very thin layer of water, “skimming” into the tube creates a strong surface tension carrying all of the “film” down and out the tube. It may be difficult to picture this by reading text alone, but given a try you will figure out how this works. It will make a squeaking sort of flushing sound when done correctly. I do this during every water change and never have any “film” on top of any of my aquariums.

Hope this helps.

thanks ChefAlex
i have tried skimming with my python set up but when the tube comes out of the water the siphon stops.
i have 3 other tanks that doesn’t have this problem. the film in the one tank has uneaten frozen mysis shrimp and mysis combos. ever since i added 2 more fish even though they are compatible, it’s caused a situation in which both types of fish compete to get the food first. i may be overfeeding. i give one cube in the morning and one in evening.
i have north american native fish / 2 blue spotted sunfish and 2 rainbow darters. the sunfish have always been shy and hiding. the darters get right to the food. so that’s why i put “extra” food so there’s something left after the darters chow down.

 

[seangee]

Increase surface movement and aeration

 

[ChefAlex]

thanks ChefAlex
i have tried skimming with my python set up but when the tube comes out of the water the siphon stops.
i have 3 other tanks that doesn’t have this problem. the film in the one tank has uneaten frozen mysis shrimp and mysis combos. ever since i added 2 more fish even though they are compatible, it’s caused a situation in which both types of fish compete to get the food first. i may be overfeeding. i give one cube in the morning and one in evening.
i have north american native fish / 2 blue spotted sunfish and 2 rainbow darters. the sunfish have always been shy and hiding. the darters get right to the food. so that’s why i put “extra” food so there’s something left after the darters chow down.

If you take the python completely out of water it will break the siphon. The goal is to, once a full siphon starts, angle the tube at 45 degrees and just leave a very tiny amount flowing into the tube. I might be able to take a video of this on my next water change. In the interim just create more surface agitation.

 

[finfayce]

Increase surface movement and aeration

thanks - i’ll try that.