Film on the water surface

[rk4435]

I've had film on my water surface for months, but I cannot remember if it started when I switched from Reef Crystals to Seachem Reef Salt.

It has to either be my salt, my BRS dosing, or something I can't think of. I dose ALK and CALC and they are separated by several hours. I recently stopped my Calcium dosing for three weeks and did not see a reduction in the surface film.

Does anyone have a suggestion? My next step is to stop my ALK dosing, or switch salts.

 

[bcavalli]

Just curious how your tank is setup? Do you have an overflow into a sump? If you have enough flow from a power head breaking the surface tension it should push the film into the overflow where filter socks will catch it.

 

[jimmystephens]

I had the same problem a few years ago. I used paper towels to soak up the film and then directed the power head towards the surface to stop having the problem. I'm guessing it was just a build up of organics in the water column

 

[rk4435]

Thanks for the reply guys. I have a standard 90 gallon with a Vortech MP40 on both ends. I do have an overflow and I watch the stuff swirl around.

Sadly the MP40s can't be pointed up, but I can try throwing a different powerhead in to see if that helps. I have tried cranking them up for a few minutes to really get the water moving with no luck.

 

[rk4435]

Well the fish are fairly pissed with a Jebao in the tank pointed up, but it is moving a lot of water. I'll have to run it a few hours each evening.

When I went to get a spare pump I noticed that my Jebao in my 40 gallon breeder mixing tank was not working. That may be the problem, though it seems like I had the problem when I know for sure the Jebao and return pump in the mixing tank were both working, that seems to be the most likely culprit at this point because the return pump is on a timer and does not run 24/7 so that means the salt is not mixing as much as I thought.