scum on surface of water

gil_ong · 07-20-2008, 08:00 PM

hey guys, so i recently removed my surface skimmer and went back to a sponge over my filter intake.

i installed a surface skimmer (http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...urface_skimmer) simply because the surface always seemed a little dirty, a little dusty.

i left for chicago on thursday afternoon and got back a few hours.

here is what i found; bubbles on the surface of the water. no, i have no bettas and these aren't bubble nests. all i have are shrimp, and everyone seems just fine.

can anyone tell me why is the water dirty like that? what causes it? is there anything i can do to solve this problem?

trashion · 07-20-2008, 08:04 PM

That isn't scum! That's oxygen released by your plants. Means they're happy

I get it a lot.

gil_ong · 07-20-2008, 08:07 PM

really? i guess that's good then. it just looks dirty.

COM · 07-21-2008, 05:54 AM

I get that too. Not a problem. It's oxygen mixed with some crap in our horrible water.

Usually when I get that it means that the water level isn't just right for the filter output to break up the bubbles.

gil_ong · 07-21-2008, 08:03 AM

thanks, COM.

i'll be trimming plants and topping up the water this afternoon.

COM · 07-21-2008, 04:25 PM

What's that funky looking glass thing in your tank, btw? Are your fish smoking pot or something?

gil_ong · 07-21-2008, 05:51 PM

it's called "sharing the love." but honestly, haven't done it in over 10 years and frankly don't miss one little bit.

that's a drop checker. to check the CO2 level in the water.

07-20-2008, 08:00 PM	#1
gil_ong Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 35 Posts: 388	scum on surface of water hey guys, so i recently removed my surface skimmer and went back to a sponge over my filter intake. i installed a surface skimmer (http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...urface_skimmer) simply because the surface always seemed a little dirty, a little dusty. i left for chicago on thursday afternoon and got back a few hours. here is what i found; bubbles on the surface of the water. no, i have no bettas and these aren't bubble nests. all i have are shrimp, and everyone seems just fine. can anyone tell me why is the water dirty like that? what causes it? is there anything i can do to solve this problem?

07-20-2008, 08:04 PM	#2
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,330	That isn't scum! That's oxygen released by your plants. Means they're happy I get it a lot. __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

07-21-2008, 05:54 AM	#4
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 697	I get that too. Not a problem. It's oxygen mixed with some crap in our horrible water. Usually when I get that it means that the water level isn't just right for the filter output to break up the bubbles. __________________ 3 Planted Tanks: 10g, 20g, and 29g

07-21-2008, 04:25 PM	#6
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 697	What's that funky looking glass thing in your tank, btw? Are your fish smoking pot or something? __________________ 3 Planted Tanks: 10g, 20g, and 29g

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07-20-2008, 08:07 PM	#3
gil_ong Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 35 Posts: 388	really? i guess that's good then. it just looks dirty.

07-21-2008, 08:03 AM	#5
gil_ong Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 35 Posts: 388	thanks, COM. i'll be trimming plants and topping up the water this afternoon.

07-21-2008, 05:51 PM	#7
gil_ong Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Age: 35 Posts: 388	it's called "sharing the love." but honestly, haven't done it in over 10 years and frankly don't miss one little bit. that's a drop checker. to check the CO2 level in the water.

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