Dusty Water Covering

[Stingray]

As the title suggests, since i topped up my tank, and tilted the spray bar to just give me that ripple effect on the surface, i have what seems to be a fine layer of dust on top of water, this could also be due to me upgradeing my lights to a hanging luminaire, letting dust etc fall into the tank, if i touch it, it disturbs it for a couple of sec's, any idea's?, will a protein skimmer cure this?

[wildreef]

probably nothing more than some dust you've knocked loose while changing light fixters around or something,
the skimmer and filtration will get it eventualy

[Stingray]

Ok Cheers will this layer of cr@p interfere with the gas exchange etc? thats my biggest worry...

[phoenixhieghts]

If your running a skimmer i wouldnt worry about the gas exchange - the skimmer will be oxygenating your water

[omard]

Need to add a surface skimmer.

Direct more flow to top...

If you don't all kinds of crap will accumulate on surface, drastically cutting down on lights effeciency.

[Stingray]

Ok, is a surface skimmer the same as a protein skimmer do they do the same thing , will have a skimmer running tomorrow a air flow skimmer, and is this layer due to me having a open top?

[omard]

Originally Posted by Stingray

Ok, is a surface skimmer the same as a protein skimmer do they do the same thing , will have a skimmer running tomorrow a air flow skimmer, and is this layer due to me having a open top?

All different kinds of surface skimmers (just google) - simple to complex, cheap to expensive. Designed to remove film on water surface which blocks both light and gas exchange.

Problem with open top or not.

Often built in on tank with overflows installed.

You need some kind.

[Stingray]

so i need a surface skimmer aswell as a protein skimmer yes? Oh i got it i just connect a surface skimmer straight into the outflow pipe on my external filter right?