Help - Green Water Surface...

[Didger]

I thought that the AqauPods and cubes had a "surface skimmer" to keep the surface of the water clean?
The surface of mine has what appears to be a green "skin" all over it, and no movement! It doesn't seem to want to "mix" you have to like break the surface!
Should I worry? Is there anything I can do about this?
As usual greatly appreciate your advice.

Geoff

 

[sadielynn]

you will want to address this problem I would recommend a power head aimed at the top to break surface tension ...... I would also try to siphion it off and do a partial 15%-20% water change .........It is worriesome for the fact that gas exchange is greatly reduced this can cause low oxygen , lower ph ect .....I am not really well versed on the aqua pods but if they do have a skimmer you may need to adjust it if not you may beable to make one out of plexi or such or buy one the best bet at this point is a small power head aimed to the surface and increase flow :mrgreen:

 

[mikeguerrero]

Doesn't the aquapod have the option to purchase a surface skimmer like the JBJ line?

 

[TimSchmidt]

I thought the aquapods had the skimmer preinstalled....but you should be very worried about the surface film. It's trouble.

 

[Didger]

Thanks for the info.
I made a "scoop" from an old water bottle and quite easily scooped all the film off. I then pointed one of the outlets up to disturb the water surface.
There is a add on protien skimmer for the AqauPod - the Fission.
But I thought that the grill like structure at the top of the first chamber was a type of surface skimmer? It is not adjustable at all, perhaps I am mistaken.
I will keep my eye on the surface and see if it comes back.

Geoff

 

[sadielynn]

I do believe (if you can post a picture) that that would be a surface skimmer you may need to tweek the skimmer by dremmeling the teeth a bit deeper.....along with the power heads being pointed up to add a bit of of turbulance will help hopefully some one else will be able to guide you to do the mods :mrgreen:

 

[Didger]

Thanks to all for the replies, SadieLynn you are so quick to jump in and help us feel that we are not alone - thank you. Love the picture of your cats....
If I can get worthwhile pictures I will post.


Geoff

 

[skipm]

I think the Pod does have a built in surface skimmer, its like a set of weirs cut into the top of the back wall. I would either use a powerhead to break it up as mentioned or use a larger return pump to help move it through the intake screen. Is there a sponge or anything that may be preventing it from going through the surface skimmer?

 

[Didger]

Thanks Skip - I thought that was a surface skimmer. I have redirected one of the jets to break up the surface.
One question I still have is what level the sponge should be in the first chamber? I seem to remember reading somewhere that it should be 1/2 inch below the top of the "weir fingers" but can't find any reference to it now?

Geoff

 

[sadielynn]

http://www.marineandreef.com/products/A ... teFilt.jpg

http://www.marineandreef.com/products/A ... _latch.jpg
I cant find any refrence to the sponge at all perhaps push down further or compleatly remove and place in another chamber to see if that "cures" the problem :mrgreen:

 

[LaFishLover]

The newer Aquapods must be different than the one pictured. My sponge is on the right side and I have only one baffle. I have my baffle pointed up to disturn the water and almost no skum. I have just recently discovered if I push down on my sponge to make it 1/2 inch below the top is acts as a skimmer should. My question is should I leave my sponge in or would things work better without the blue sponge?

 

[sadielynn]

IMHHO you could leave it in however you should be rinsing it quite frequently 3-4 times a week to prevent nitrAtes and phosphate build ups I think a bag of purigen or the likes might better suit the needs .... :mrgreen:

Welcome to the site LA :welcome