No WCs and avoiding biofilm

**xenxes** · 08-01-2012, 08:44 PM

When TDS > 300, maybe once every 2-3 months? Tap is 160.

**xenxes** · 08-01-2012, 08:53 PM

There is barely any surface movement, but not much scum right now. As protein film accumulates surface tension increases, allowing little snails to crawl along the top and eat the scum.

In the outdoor mud bucket, the platy fish eat scum more efficiently and it doesn't have a chance to accumulate, the fish swimming / zipping back and forth also creates sufficient "flow" for ammonium to distribute to the plants.

slavecorps · 08-01-2012, 09:17 PM

I'm in Orlando and also have outdoor planters with no filtration or lights. The only inhabitants are snails and some RCS culls from my tank in Chicago and I also have no film on the surface of the water. The water is crystal clear with only top offs from the rain.

MrAlmostWrong · 08-01-2012, 09:39 PM

So it seems to come down to a good number of plants per volume and inhabitants that can take care of the biofilm.

jeremyTR · 08-01-2012, 09:42 PM

I just use an air pump and bubbles to keep surface scum away

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G

08-01-2012, 08:44 PM	#16
xenxes Gotta Catch 'Em All (View User Tanks) PTrader: (37/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,663	When TDS > 300, maybe once every 2-3 months? Tap is 160. __________________ A: [2g x2] [5g] [5g-S] [6g] [9g] [20g] [24g] \| T: [Balcony] [Nano Wabikusa] \| Shrimp Blog

08-01-2012, 08:53 PM	#17
xenxes Gotta Catch 'Em All (View User Tanks) PTrader: (37/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,663	There is barely any surface movement, but not much scum right now. As protein film accumulates surface tension increases, allowing little snails to crawl along the top and eat the scum. In the outdoor mud bucket, the platy fish eat scum more efficiently and it doesn't have a chance to accumulate, the fish swimming / zipping back and forth also creates sufficient "flow" for ammonium to distribute to the plants. __________________ A: [2g x2] [5g] [5g-S] [6g] [9g] [20g] [24g] \| T: [Balcony] [Nano Wabikusa] \| Shrimp Blog

08-01-2012, 09:42 PM	#20
jeremyTR Suspended (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tacoma Washington Posts: 1,578	I just use an air pump and bubbles to keep surface scum away Sent from my HTC Evo 4G __________________ 40B - Shrimp tank ~~~

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08-01-2012, 09:17 PM	#18
slavecorps Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago, IL / Orlando, FL Posts: 401	I'm in Orlando and also have outdoor planters with no filtration or lights. The only inhabitants are snails and some RCS culls from my tank in Chicago and I also have no film on the surface of the water. The water is crystal clear with only top offs from the rain.

08-01-2012, 09:39 PM	#19
MrAlmostWrong Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 99	So it seems to come down to a good number of plants per volume and inhabitants that can take care of the biofilm.