Surface film – Simple Solution

TeeItUp · 09-13-2004, 05:26 PM

I wish I could remember who got me thinking along this line (so I could give credit to) but I have a very simple solution to filtering off surface film. Take a normal 2” diameter Python gravel cleaner and remove the hose. Pick up two suction cups (I got mine at Wal-Mart) and drill through the side of the vacuum tube to place them one high and one low. Now turn this upside down and place the open end up about ½” under the water surface. Stick your filter pick-up inside of that and run your filter as normal. The majority of the filtered water will come in from the open end at the bottom where the hose was but a gentle flow will also come in the top polishing off the surface.

I plan on removing mine and placing some slots on the top so performance will be the same regardless of water level.

Wasserpest · 09-13-2004, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeItUp

[...] from the open end at the bottom where the hose was but a genital flow will also come in the top polishing off the surface.

Eeeewww!

bigpow · 09-13-2004, 05:51 PM

don't you have to keep adjusting it?
What happen when the water level drop?

SCMurphy · 09-13-2004, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Eeeewww!

Wasser be nice and tell him that the correct word is 'gentle'.

Other than that, it's an interesting solution to a common problem.

TeeItUp · 09-13-2004, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpow

don't you have to keep adjusting it?
What happen when the water level drop?

I have only been running it that way for 3 days so the water level has not dropped below the top. Even if it did it will still suck the water from below.

TeeItUp · 09-13-2004, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCMurphy

Wasser be nice and tell him that the correct word is 'gentle'.

Thanks for the correction.

tommyboy22481 · 09-17-2004, 06:01 PM

This sounds just like the surface extractor I bought to fix the surface film problem I was having. Its basically a tube with opening at the top and the bottom, but the top part floats on the surface of the water so its always the same height in relation to the water.

I dont know how much a python tube goes for but I got my setup for $12 shipped.

TeeItUp · 09-18-2004, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyboy22481

I dont know how much a python tube goes for but I got my setup for $12 shipped.

Where did you order your from and what was it called?

09-13-2004, 05:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
TeeItUp Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio Posts: 493	Surface film – Simple Solution I wish I could remember who got me thinking along this line (so I could give credit to) but I have a very simple solution to filtering off surface film. Take a normal 2” diameter Python gravel cleaner and remove the hose. Pick up two suction cups (I got mine at Wal-Mart) and drill through the side of the vacuum tube to place them one high and one low. Now turn this upside down and place the open end up about ½” under the water surface. Stick your filter pick-up inside of that and run your filter as normal. The majority of the filtered water will come in from the open end at the bottom where the hose was but a gentle flow will also come in the top polishing off the surface. I plan on removing mine and placing some slots on the top so performance will be the same regardless of water level. __________________ Eheim Pimp Club member #14 2215 Classic Eheim CO2 Diffuser

09-13-2004, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigpow Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 742	don't you have to keep adjusting it? What happen when the water level drop? __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #74

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09-17-2004, 06:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
tommyboy22481 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 173	This sounds just like the surface extractor I bought to fix the surface film problem I was having. Its basically a tube with opening at the top and the bottom, but the top part floats on the surface of the water so its always the same height in relation to the water. I dont know how much a python tube goes for but I got my setup for $12 shipped.

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