Re: surface scum

[Billy]

"Mr. Foo" > wrote in message
news:0rRld.221382$nl.143311@pd7tw3no...
| Can anyone give me some ideas on how to control this?
|
| I can keep it down if I keep the surface agitated obviously but
then I don't
| get enough tank current. I
| have a HOB filter that I use sometimes and that helps with the
surface scum
| but makes an awful mess
| with salt all over the place.
|
| I know I need to get an overflow and pump it down to a sump but I
can't
| afford that yet.


Simplest way would be to toss an airstone into the tank, surface
agitation or surface skimming are about the only methods to get rid
of it. Tanks with very efficient protien skimmers don't build up
surface scum as quickly, FWIW.

[CapFusion]

"Mr. Foo" > wrote in message
news:0rRld.221382$nl.143311@pd7tw3no...
> Can anyone give me some ideas on how to control this?
>
> I can keep it down if I keep the surface agitated obviously but then I
> don't get enough tank current. I
> have a HOB filter that I use sometimes and that helps with the surface
> scum but makes an awful mess
> with salt all over the place.
>
> I know I need to get an overflow and pump it down to a sump but I can't
> afford that yet.
>
> Thanks,
> Kelly

Like Billy suggest / comment or you can try this -
http://marinedepot.com/aquarium_filters_eheim_surface_extractor.asp?CartI d=
I am not sure how well it work but this may be the only option left.

CapFusion,...

[JWilson]

"Mr. Foo" > wrote in message
news:0rRld.221382$nl.143311@pd7tw3no...
> Can anyone give me some ideas on how to control this?
>
> I can keep it down if I keep the surface agitated obviously but then I
don't
> get enough tank current. I
> have a HOB filter that I use sometimes and that helps with the surface
scum
> but makes an awful mess
> with salt all over the place.
>
> I know I need to get an overflow and pump it down to a sump but I can't
> afford that yet.
>
> Thanks,
> Kelly
>
You can probable make an "overflow box" for you HOB.
Exactly like a standard overflow / sump set up, but instead of a drain hole,
the "overflow Box" water will be sucked up by the HOB.
You just need to be vigilent at topping up you water because as water
evaporates, it will first effect the water level in the "overflow box" until
you HOB intake is left high and dry. Of course you could set up an automatic
top up with a float valve in the "overflow box" to keep the water level
constant. Or you could use a biggish "overflow box" which can hold a larger
volume of water which will give you more time between top ups.

HTH
Andrew

[Toni]

"JWilson" > wrote in message
...
> >
> You can probable make an "overflow box" for you HOB.



Or just rig this-
http://petsolutions.com/product.asp?pn=15510240&bhcd2=1100599500



--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/reef.htm

[CapFusion]

"Mr. Foo" > wrote in message
news:0rRld.221382$nl.143311@pd7tw3no...
> Can anyone give me some ideas on how to control this?
>
> I can keep it down if I keep the surface agitated obviously but then I
> don't get enough tank current. I
> have a HOB filter that I use sometimes and that helps with the surface
> scum but makes an awful mess
> with salt all over the place.
>
> I know I need to get an overflow and pump it down to a sump but I can't
> afford that yet.
>
> Thanks,
> Kelly
>

Or you can use a skimmer box from AquaC -
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AC3323
Have that pump redirect to another place like your filteration in place.

CapFusion,...

[John Cassara]

You could make the overflow box float. Then as the water evaporates the box
would travel. If the box is deep enough, the pick-up would be long and would
stay submerged for a long period of time between top offs.

John



>>>>>You can probable make an "overflow box" for you HOB.
Exactly like a standard overflow / sump set up, but instead of a drain hole,
the "overflow Box" water will be sucked up by the HOB.
You just need to be vigilant at topping up you water because as water
evaporates, it will first effect the water level in the "overflow box" until
you HOB intake is left high and dry. Of course you could set up an automatic
top up with a float valve in the "overflow box" to keep the water level
constant. Or you could use a biggish "overflow box" which can hold a larger
volume of water which will give you more time between top ups.

HTH
Andrew