Surface skimming...best options?

[Michelos]

I need some for skimming surface..my tank is only 7 inch tall..not run skimmer,now i have glass lily pipes with external filter.

What is better option for this?:

[reefist]

I can't think of anything that isn't going to interfere with the clean look of the lily pipes. Eheim makes a small surface skimming pump you might look at. My buddy has one in a 5.5g and it works like a charm. I just rely on strong surface agitation to mitigate surface film in my sumpless tanks. I push a cup down into the water from time to time to skim anything off that accumulates.

[Nanofreak79]

Yep I have the eheim and it takes care of the surface skum

[Rory282]

I have the eheim surface skimmer to (freshwater), just wondering how often do you clean it in a reef tank?

[Nanofreak79]

depends, how dirty your tank is. I clean mine every month.

[Michelos]

Nano skimmer is a good option?

Hydor or tunze?

[reefsahoy]

This works unbelievably well! The cup floats and adjust to water height so evaporation will not affect the surface skimming. There is an adjustment that the filter pulls from the bottom of the tank and from the surface skim float as well. It's easy to adjust. These are pretty unknown, but I had one on a small nano and it skimmed the surface within a half hour or so. I would get another one in a heart beat!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/111816113694?ul_noapp=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D69982082769_324272%2526itemid%253D111816113694%2526targetid%253D124340419209%2526rpc%253D0.14%2526rpc_upld_id%253D58570%2526rlsatarget%253Dkwd-124340419209%2526device%253Dt%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F111816113694%25253Flpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526loc%253D9052632%2526poi%253D9011921%2526campaignid%253D313895649%2526adgroupid%253D20919789969%2526gclid%253DCJb54tO7nckCFYGDaQodz-kKoA%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D933441221340&chn=ps&lpid=82

[reefsahoy]

Here's another surface skimmer with a built in uv light. I didn't have this one but I'm pretty confident it would work awesome!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181816688014?ul_noapp=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D53601919689_324272%2526itemid%253D181816688014%2526targetid%253D147248044089%2526rpc%253D0.14%2526rpc_upld_id%253D58573%2526rlsatarget%253Dkwd-147248044089%2526device%253Dt%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F181816688014%25253Flpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526loc%253D9052632%2526poi%253D9011921%2526campaignid%253D239125209%2526adgroupid%253D14978428809%2526gclid%253DCO7w99-8nckCFRApaQodUNwENA%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D933440329590&chn=ps&lpid=82

[Nanofreak79]

Those are both good ideas, but I'm betting he doesn't want anything bulky. Changing your intake and outtake pipes you could,use this

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/311480941586

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51B3M0A-hUL._SY355_.jpg

[Michelos]

AC filters don't have this surfaces skimming pieces?

[Michelos]

Can i use this in AC?

http://es.aliexpress.com/item/Surface-skimmer-inflow-lily-aquarium-fish-tank-surface-oil-film-mini-nano-canister-filter-Free-Shipping/32453379473.html

[Nanofreak79]

Can i use this in AC?

http://es.aliexpress.com/item/Surface-skimmer-inflow-lily-aquarium-fish-tank-surface-oil-film-mini-nano-canister-filter-Free-Shipping/32453379473.html

That looks nice. Should work just fine as long as it fits your tubing.

[Michelos]

And picoaquarims box for Aquaclear?..is avaible now?..is great!

[reefsahoy]

Michelos, from my experiences its important that the filter can either compensate for evaporation, or you have a decent ato to compensate for evaporation. The reason being that the surface skim will only work at a specific water height if its fixed or if you dont have a way to compensate for evap. Thats why i like the two option i mentioned above. Otherwise you will constantly have to adjust the waterheight. Just my .02 cents. Good luck with your decision whichever way you go.

[Andreww]

The eheim 350 takes care of the scum and is self adjusting which is nice that you don't have to adjust it as water evaporates..but it just looks ugly. Had it in my ADA 60 p and it was too bulky. ADA makes a nice stainless steel one but it's not self adjustable and it retails close to 200$. Ouch.

 

My eheim 350 is sitting in the cabinet. I'd rather use paper towels than the surface skimmer. At least until I install my sump.

[Michelos]

That 350 eheim works good but don't minimalist ..

[Mikeymikemike]

Look at my aquarium journal, you see I use a glass skimmer inlet

[Michelos]

Look at my aquarium journal, you see I use a glass skimmer inlet

Yes!..i order this

[zsxking]

Isn't one of the purpose of lily pipe is the create vortex so that skim the surface? Like this:

 

Quick google of "lily pipe vortext" get me this link http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/filtration/88242-how-setup-proper-water-flow.html

 

I don't think you need any additional equipment. Just need to adjust your lily pipe.

[Mikeymikemike]

thats right, you can lift the lily pipe at night time to create a vortex or agitate the surface. Unlike fresh water though... the bubbles formed by the lily pipe if lifted too high form a foam due to the density of salt water. In freshwater, the bubbles will simply dissolve. In salt water they take longer or build-up organics like a skimmer would. This is why splashing the surface may create a foam/film. There is a sweet spot for this. i will take a photo of how mine is set up.