Newtankdude

There's this thin, cloudy looking stuff floating on the surface. If I put my hand into the tank to move or clean somthing, it seperates in a spot and that spot is clear. I was told it's because I don't have a protein skimmer. Is that true?

armadillo

How agitated is your water surface? Sounds like you may just need more surface agitation. The way I've done that was by making sure I had a couple of air stones at different places of the tank (bubbles going up distrub the water), and a couple of small filters at opposite ends of the tank (cheap, small filters). Their output causses a stream.

Just my theory, though. Perhaps others have other thoughts.

Newtankdude

I can't put anymore filters because it's a Biocube...no room.

armadillo

How about external?

Newtankdude

Not sure, just wanted to know for when I get my bigger tank.

agsansoo

Newtankdude,
You need to break the surface tension of the water. This is usally done by pointing the powerheads upwards the surface. Good water circulation is essential.

armadillo

I've been thinking of getting a powerhead for a little while, although I have 2 airstones and 2 filters I still need more surface agitation. It just feels better for the fish.

Gozer_1

I had this same problem till recently. I had to rearrange my filter outputs to point up, but now I have some good wave action on the top and voila, no scum.

armadillo

Just bought a 'power' head and it's a mere dribble. I'll have to have a closer look to see if maybe am not using it properly.

♥ashley♥

i think you should do some water changes. I think that might help. i don't know what it is exactly but your water sounds like it's not really moving around so mabey a water filter on the side of your tank might help. like the little water fall filters( I have one and it works great!)

chris2

I had the same problem and put a small 10g whisper filter on the back center of my tank with no pads in it and repositioned the powerhead. No problems now. It's from having a "dead spot" on the surface of your tank. Just gotta find a way to get the water moving.

Peterpiper

Coulld it be that the bubbles from the airstones are working like the bubbles in a skimmer, and the foam/film on the surface is a film of proteins?

sgould

The proteins that are skimmed out are most heavily concentrated at/near the surface anyway. This is because they tend to accumulate near the air/water junction, which is why skimmers are designed to produce lots of air bubbles...more bubbles=more air/water intersection.