Oily Film

[Pan]

I have a 20 Gallons tank that has developed an oily film on the surface, since this has started the water smells as well...not bad..just smells. I don't have the room for a hang on overflow for a sump and the big protein skimmers are too much for this little tank (size and cost). I am getting a new tank in a bit here then i will get the 20 drilled as well. I was looking at the fluval surface skimmer as a solution, i do water changes weekly, 15-20 % but the film comes back. is there a good qay to get rid of it...or is it something you have to live with when running a 20 gallon?

[TheReefGeek]

Increase the surface agitation by pointing some powerheads upwards to break the surface tension.

[Myanth]

I got the same on my 10 gallon nano. I just skimmed the surface with a cup to get rid of the film. Hold the whole cup under the water so just the meniscus skims in. Let it flow into the cup as little as possible. You will see the gross looking and bad smelling skim accumulating in the bottom of the cup. Don't let it overflow or you start over again. Worked for me. Helps to turn off any surface agitation a few minutes before to let the skim join together.

Good luck
Mike

[Xtasia]

Powerheads work best... but I've also heard some people on Reefcentral use saran wrap. Turn off your power heads, put a sheet on the surface then lift off, the oil should stick to the plastic. Dunno if it works, I've never tried it. Could be whoey

If its only for a short while I'd just use powerheads, any time longer I would just get a used prism off the Buy sell forum or ask a fellow reefer to lend me an old protein skimmer from one of their earlier systems (you know we all have it.. old stuff kicking around from when we didn't know any better.)

[hockey nut]

try using a cheap Aqua Clear hang on filter. It draws air and the surface water back down into the tank where the power heads do the rest. Worked well on my 20gal.

[Myanth]

Had a powersweep on my 10, no venturi, but still got the slime. Also penguin HOB 270 filter with no biowheel. Plenty of surface agitation... just had to manually skim. Of course.... I am a mechanic.... might be gear oil.

Mike