Layer of oily stuff on surface of my tank...

[luumanfoo29]

What is this oil stuff that is on the surface of my tank and how the heck can I get rid of it? I already have 2 powerheads aimed up to break the surface of the water but those are the only spots where hte water isnt oily....Any suggestions?

 

[grendel]

Get a protein skimmer and suck it off the top with it.

That would be all the crud from the fish and other waste.

 

[luumanfoo29]

I have a HOB skimmer with a surface filter thingy...i dunno what theyre called but the suck up water from the surface...but i dont think its actually taking any of the oily stuff because I think its only taking in water just below the surface (thus leaving the oil on the surface). I have a Prizm (i know theyre not hte greatest but its been fine up til now)

 

[~Flighty~]

I'm not familiar with the prism, but it needs to get the top layer to work.

 

[Moe_K]

Yeah, that's a skimmer issue.
I used the CPR Bakpak 2. It's not a surface skimmer, but I knew when I saw the sheen on the surface it was time to clean the skimmer's airline and powerhead.

 

[luumanfoo29]

Quite possibly the worst diagram ever...but you get the idea...









...hopefully

 

[BOSTONBAKEDBEAN]

it also could be the oil from you! yup even if you wash its still there and builds up on the surface.. keep your hands out n skipm the top off with a jug ect... manualy ahhhh old fasioned!

 

[Jocko]

LOL love the diagram. Here is where the art of Prizm tweaking comes into play. The goal is to adjust the hight of your suface attachment and the valve on the input tube so that the water level inside the surface skimmer is like maybe an inch below the water level of the tank (while maintaining the water level at your preferred height inside the skimmer below the collection cup). Get it right, and the top of your water will be crystal clear.

If you don't have a sump, then the water level of the tank will go down due to evaporation and you will lose siphon if you go for a while without topping off. Not a big deal but mildly annoying.

 

[luumanfoo29]

Hey jocko, thanks for hte tip! The oily layer cleared up in 10 mins!

 

[besl]

As you discovered, Jocko's response is right on the money. You will see alot of posts trashing the Prizm - I had one on my 55 gallon and wanted to trash it - the retailer I spoke to said that as much as she would like to sell me more equipment, there is nothing wrong with the Prizm and it just needs to be set up properly and gave me advise similar to Jocko's. Glad this worked out for you and another success story for the Prizm when set up properly.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

I like the face in the corner of the diagram

 

[seahorse1]

Does anyone wear gloves when they have to put their arms/hands into the tank? I bought a pair of plastic gloves and they lasted one time. Now I just wash my hands real good before I work on the tank, but BostonBB brought up a good point. Does anyone use those Playtex gloves that are for washing dishes?

 

[Duds]

I never wear gloves when working on the tank, the only thing that i noticed once was a sting on my fore arm from a hammer coral doesnt bother me at all
Duds