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View Full Version : Tip of the Day: Poor mans protein skimmer


Scuba Guy
02-11-2007, 05:24 PM
If you don't have a protein skimmer and you have an oily looking film on the surface of your aquarium water - here is a great way to clean up the film.

I learned this from my father who did this every so often to his tank.

Take about 4 pages of black & white news print (no color) and cut it into quarters (the size of 1/2 page). You should have 8 sheets when done.

Turn off all water motion (filters, air stones, etc.) and place enough sheets to cover the surface of the water. Place gently and allow the news print to soak up the water (and the oils) - you'll see the paper slowly wet up.

Once the paper is saturated (10 - 15 seconds is all) - Remove all of the paper sheets with one motion (do not squeeze out) and dispose.

Your water surface should be crystal clean and very reflective.

You may need to do this twice.

Turn your filters, air, etc. back on and you are good to go until next time.

I find I need to do this when I feed my fish high protein meals such as blood worms or beef heart.

cocoa_pleco
02-11-2007, 05:52 PM
I need to do that on my toad tank. Theres that filmy crap and the waters too shallow to use my skimmer on

Scuba Guy
02-11-2007, 06:31 PM
Let us know how it worked for you...

Chrona
02-11-2007, 06:43 PM
The newspaper ink doesn't get into the water?:confused:

cocoa_pleco
02-11-2007, 07:25 PM
ill try it later, but you should post this in the DIY section

Scuba Guy
02-11-2007, 07:56 PM
not at all...

Chrona
02-11-2007, 08:03 PM
not at all...

Cool, I'm gonna try this :)