I'm wondering if anybody has a problem with the protein film I have. I noticed that in my tank when the second PC is kicking in I get surface scum. I've been watching my tank for a long time and I'm sure that's what it is. Do you think my plants are getting stressed by the second 65W PC turning on in my 29 gallon tank and that's why they leak protein?

I know what you mean...I'd suggest a simple fluval or eheim surface skimmer. Have them on all my tanks...Problem solved..

I do have eheim protein skimmer but I was just wondering about that light thing possibly causing surface scum.

Geez, I'm not sure about the second PC light coming on with regards to it causing the surface scum via the plants. I'd just rather just apply the skimmer and be done with it as I find surface scum can come from so many different sources.

Graf:

tom and dusko (credited, Tom for posting) have a good article on tank algea.
Aquarium Algae ID (updated)
scroll down to 6/2/07. I too had this problem, I gave up and bought a HOB power filter w/ surface skimmer from Dr Fosters and Smith
Power Filter: Bio System Power Filter & Surface Skimmer from Drs. Foster and Smith
it fixed the problem but as the article states, I believe it was the increased circulation that fixed the problem not the skimmer.

Good luck and let us know what you did to correct the problem

The surface scum wouldn't have bothered me but on thing. Sometimes leaves or pieces od riccia are blocking my eheim protein skimmer and again it wouldn't have been a problem for me but when I'm gone for a weekend this is where I have a big trouble. I'm coming home and the intake in my protein skimmer is full of garbage. That's why I'm trying to get rid of the surface scum in a different way.

Damoochr. That filter you mentioned in your last post looks pretty cool. I have a question though. What about CO2? It looks in the picture that it's causing pretty big surface circulation. How much more CO you had to add after you installed the new filter?

there is not too much surface agitation at all if I keep the water level up, just a little ripple. I did have to up the bbs a little but CO2 is cheap in my book vs beauty of the tank. if you have an extra powerhead laying around try that for a couple of days (use it w/o the venturi, pointing from mid water or high water level and point it downward). just to reiterate, I did bump up the co2 level but just a bit, I dont do any testing per the EI dosing, I use a drop checker to monitor ( a good guestimate) to notice just a lighter shade of green tword the blue side, meaning <30 ppm ~.

if interested in the drop checker (DC) there are a few DIY plans here. I did not gather what co2 you have, compressed (Tank) or DIY ( yeast sugar mix). I was ammazed how LOW my CO2 was prior to my DIY DC.

As stated in my original post, I had the protien scum, added that skimmer/filter that fixed the problem, however I believe it was a lack of circulation issue. I am curious to see what Tom / Hoppy thinks of this.

Mooch

The poor man's solution is paper towels. If surface scum has built up in a tank then, before I do a water change, I place cheap, non-scented, white paper towel on the surface of the tank. Leave it there for a few second and then lift it out. The paper towel soaks up the surface scum and into the trash it goes. Not very elegant but it works.

Or water changes+ good CO2(more+ higher current)+ time.

Current + some time seems key.

I keep high current in most every tank I have.

Regards,
Tom Barr