water quality

[Guest]

i have what seems to be a cloudy substance on the water surface. it just looks like dust.....this is a fairly new tank, about 2 months. ive been doing regular weekly water changes. i just need to know if this is regular for a new tank, if not....please help. thanks

 

[lando]

Hi, Welcome to AA!! Do you have a protein skimmer running?

 

[seaham358]

Its protein. Not a major thing IMO.. I get it from time to time on both of my tanks. I adjust the return overflows for 30 min or so and it sucks it off the surface. Normal in new and old tanks.....

 

[phases99]

A HOB skimmer that skims water from the surface will help a lot. Otherwise experimenting with your ph placement should suffice.

 

[Guest]

no i dont have a protein skimmer......im a student and i dont have a huge budget, is it necessary to have one? i know that they get pricey....i dont want to be cheap on the equipment either.


thanks for the replies

 

[phases99]

They play a major role in helping to minimize the amount of organics that are processed by the bio cycle. There are folks who successfully maintain a reef without one but more maintenance will be required. There are some DIY skimmer designs out there if you are good at doing that kind of stuff.

 

[Guest]

thanks

 

[srgetz]

more water movement near the surface can help with this also, start with a ph or 2 within a few inches of the surface...that will help with no skimmer