Sludge on water surface in my aqupod.

[tat2z_21]

Just wondering if there is any modifications that can help remove the sludge that is building up on the surface. I was thinking about putting a surface skimmer in the 1st chamber and having it go go into a home made refugium that I had built. But that would require me to drill holes in the back. Any information on what you guys have done to improve this it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Myteemouse]

add a power head to agitate surface of water..??

 

[Herefishyfishy]

More of a problem than just aesthetics. That sludge means that there is probably a poor gas exchange at the top which is necessary for a healthy tank. Definitely powerhead agitate or install an overflow

 

[tat2z_21]

So I have 2 karalia nano's pointing at the surface. They agitate the surface nicely. and I upgraded the return pump from the factory stock to a MJ12. Thinking that it would pull more water through the rubble that I have back there. So I am going to go agead and design something that will help me pull from the top. I have been wanting to add a sump/refugium for a little while anyways.

 

[gotfish]

aquapods don't have a surface skimmer like the biocube?

 

[luisse25]

yeah it doesnt have a surface skimmer..i only have koralia 1 and the stock pump lucky me i dont have any sludge or stuff like that..no protein skimmer either just weekly water change..i put the koralia near surface for agitation.

 

[tat2z_21]

So maybe my term "Sludge" is a little over dramatic. However it has the film that builds up and I can't get rid of it.

 

[luisse25]

So maybe my term "Sludge" is a little over dramatic. However it has the film that builds up and I can't get rid of it.

you know where the second chamber has some plates?i put additional piece of acrylic exact shape of the plates so it drips like a waterfall..does your water level on the chamber same as the main tank?

 

[tat2z_21]

For some reason it is the same level. I bought the tank off of someone else and it did not have all of the pieces.

 

[luisse25]

you can add a piece of cut up acrylic,make sure it fits on where you put the plates..thats what i did mine so my water level is not the same as in the back..then it drips like a waterfall..

 

[tat2z_21]

I just wanted to let you know how I fixed my situation. I do appreciate everyone chiming in and giving me the ideas. So here are a few pictures to let you guys kn9ow what direction I went. I installed a surface skimmer and connected it to a MJ600 into the first chamber. The output from the skimmer goes straight into my home made (6 gallon Eclipse) drilled refugium. As soon as I plugged in the MJ600 the surface cleared right up. Now I have a question with all of the dissolved organics going into the refugium do you think I might have an issue. I do have chaetoin the refugium but not sure if the Eclipse lighting will be enough to grow the good stuff. Any information on this part would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gotfish]

A 13w cfl will grow chaeto. Do you need the lid of the 6g?

 

[tat2z_21]

I think that I am going to add a 18 watt power compact. I will just retro fit it in the hood. The lide actually aids in the inevitable battle of water evaporation. So I will just retro a higher wattage light.

 

[tri_pod_rod]

thats pretty nice i have never seen a fuge like that before on a nano cube