Film on top of water

[NarwhalLover3]

I have a hob skimmer on my ninety gallon, but recently turned it off. It wasn't properly skimming and was putting out a bazillion micro bubbles. Ever since I turned it off, there's been a light tan film on top of the water. I also noticed an almost overnight explosion of reddish/brown algae all over the sand. It looks horrible. Should I plug it back in?

 

[CorallineAlgae]

I would plug it back up, then Goole your skimmer model to see if there's a way to reduce the bubbles. Most skimmers can be tweaked or modded to reduce the bubbles.

 

[Beengirl]

Definitely plug it back in. And point a PH or two towards the surface to cause ripples on the surface (if you don't already), it'll help prevent the layer building up.

 

[Qube]

You can quickly lay a paper towel on the water surface and yank it back out to quickly remedy the situation until you get your skimmer worked out.

 

[Schism]

I have a hob skimmer on my ninety gallon, but recently turned it off. It wasn't properly skimming and was putting out a bazillion micro bubbles. Ever since I turned it off, there's been a light tan film on top of the water. I also noticed an almost overnight explosion of reddish/brown algae all over the sand. It looks horrible. Should I plug it back in?

Yea plug the skimmer back it. The film will impede gas exchange, with the skimmer running you shouldn't have much of a film or any film on the surface. Having a powerhead directed towards the surface will break the film if it forms and prevent gas exchange from slowing or stopping.

 

[Mr. Crabs]

Micro bubbles are really common from skimmers. They can be reduced to a certain extent, but still........annoying.

A lot of people (myself included) will fashion a bubble trap of sorts. Can be as easy as a small plastic box with a spnge laid in it to be placed under the outlet of the skimmer on the edge of tank. Might have to get a little Macgyver action going here and take a walk around the pet store and home depot to come up with something.

 

[NarwhalLover3]

Thank you everyone. I worked on the skimmer for about 30-45 minutes and got it all cleaned. It's still pretty loud and the bubbles are frustrating. I think I'll have to make a bubble trap of some sort like mentioned above. I'll keep the paper towel trick in my mind for next time it happens. Hopefully I'll get a new a new one for my birthday. I'm hoping a refugium setup, but I be more than happy to have another hob one.

 

[CorallineAlgae]

What kind of skimmer is it?

 

[ChiTownRomeo]

I had the same problem. Until I bought this cheap and easy attachment. Film was gone in 10 min and has yet to come back.
Aquarium Surface Skimmer

 

[Jaketit]

He I remember that thing. It worked great before I had a skimmer, although its just another unsightly piece of equipment in your tank.

 

[NarwhalLover3]

It's a Red Sea prisim energizer