65 gallon low tech FL inspired

[wkndracer]

I really like the view from your throne.
The open tank is a nice change from jungles too.

[jaidexl]

Thanks!

[hydrophyte]

nice!

[CL]

Very well done!

[jaidexl]

Thanks guys!

[Mr James]

In your picture on the first page I see a bit of what I have called "suface scum", maybe from my saltwater days. I have that too. Do I need to remove it?? My Ehiem canister filter has a surface extractor application, should I get it?? Or does it matter?? I will try to take a "good" picture of my tank and post it in a new question.

[jaidexl]

Hi Mr James. That's a protein film that is essentially the same thing as in a SW tank. You don't have to remove it, you get a lot of that with planted tanks. Particularly after big changes or re'scapes like in that first pic of mine. This tank still has it, longest I have have ever noticed, the TDS is still very low and all nitrogens are in check, so it's not really something that affects us in the real world other than looking ugly. My angelfish actually chomps at it, possibly eating it or just looking for food particles, lol, for a long time I thought he was gulping air until I figured it out, pretty funny how he cuts lines through the film then spits it around and out his gills.

Not sure if it may be more necessary to remove it on a SW tank, I honestly have never seen it on any of mine except in grungy little tanks meant for growing macroalgae. I know the SW protein skimmers do a whole lot more in terms of removing organics besides whats sitting on the surface, and really clean up the water as a whole. The Eheim one you mention for FW will however only clear off the surface and move the film into the filter, which will only take it out of sight and mind, but by all means won't hurt anything and will make the tank more pleasing to look at. I never bothered with one because I think they're uglier than the film, but if you have one and are up to using it, it won't hurt anything. I have read about folks laying paper towels across the surface to pull it off, cheaper than the extractor thingy but I have never had the guts to lay paper on my water.

[hydrophyte]

Hey do you have any updated pictures?

[jaidexl]

No, but I can get you one when lights come on in a couple hours. Not much change other than the hygro bomber growing larger in the middle. I'm debating on moving that to the back with the vals or leaving it alone and propagating it over to the 110gl that should be set up this month. Other updates include the Erio type 2, which has completely browned over and is now sprouting new green tips, will take a few months of pruning and replanting to get the nice green bush of it on the side again, I'm afraid to use any more Excel now since I believe it may have been the culprit. Also, my little Micranthemum experiment came undone and is floating now, which I haven't bothered to do anything with.

[speedie408]

Beautiful tank. That angle looks so lonely though.

[Mr James]

Thanks for the response!! I will leave it and keep my system the way it is.