Keeping the scum off the top without skimmer

[Andrew Butler]

I don't know if everyone relies on a skimmer intake or separate skimmer to keep the water surface clean but my water surface really does get a layer of scum on it if I don't run a separate skimmer.
I'd like to stop running the skimmer due to it affecting the water flow and don't want a skimmer on my filter intake. I use a spraybar and just wonder how everyone else deals with the matter?
at the moment I'm thinking skimmers on a timer is my only way but interested as ever to hear from other people.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[zozo]

Patience usualy does the trick.. Wait it out till the tank matures enough and it goes away on it's it's own or becomes less frequent.. At least if you maintenance schedule is properly maintained.

In case of CO² it might come back now and then because of the higher plant metabolism and water column bioload.. This is part of the cycle you maybe have to deal with regularly. It all depends on so much factors it is hard to say something conclusive about its true cause and prevention.

In case of low tech i personaly actualy never experienced excesive surface scum overload. If that's the case you should do more and beter maintenance to get the bioload out. It's more of a tipycal high tech tank issue. 🙂

 

[Andrew Butler]

I'm running CO2 and certs so it's high tech.

It's well matured but I still get the surface scum no matter what, just wondered what other people do.

 

[oscarlloydjohn]

I found this video useful in helping reduce it without a skimmer. Of course a skimmer will always work but if you don't have space or can't use one this can help.

 

[Zeus.]

I just put my ehiem skimmer on when needed on my 500l eg after trimming before/after WC.
On my 50l have the ehiem skimmer on 24/7 for better turnover with the mesh I picked up from Aquarium Gardens to keep shrimp/fish out, still managed to find a shrimp in the ehiem but it was fine