Ways to Deal With Freshwater Protein Buildup?

[Jozle]

All my nanos are freshwater. Does anyone have any idea on handling this problem without constantly doing water changes and scooping this out every 2 days? I read that fish eats this crap, but all my nanos are shrimp tanks and I can't run the risk of them being a good protein source.

[mistahoo]

Re: Ways to Deal With Freshwater Protein Buildup?

Overflows, water agitation, or just ignore it

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[TexSun]

Re: Ways to Deal With Freshwater Protein Buildup?

Overflows, water agitation, or just ignore it

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+1!

[moganman]

+2

[allysangels]

surface agitation is a good thing...

[Totenkampf]

to prevent it, use long gloves and not bare hands/arms when scaping and use a higher quality food. i have been using the omega one types and have noticed a decrease in protein film.

to remove you can use surface agitation via a bubbler or powerhead, a fluval surface skimmer, or kill all the pumps and repeatedly lay paper towels on the surface to sop up the oil

[Jozle]

:/ water agitation. I guess I will have to start dealing with a lot of noise in my bedroom. Main reason why I don't use HOBs.

[barberking12]

Hob are fine as long as the water level stays up

[allysangels]

to prevent it, use long gloves and not bare hands/arms when scaping

i have questions about this topic... going to start a new thread however. keep an eye out!

[Totenkampf]

:/ water agitation. I guess I will have to start dealing with a lot of noise in my bedroom. Main reason why I don't use HOBs.

surface agitation is no good for planted tanks either, i have airstones or powerheads on timers so they make noise when i am not around and the lights arent on. complexity uses the fluval skimmer on her canister filter intakes and loves them. she doesnt inject CO2 but the tanks are heavily planted.

[mistahoo]

:/ water agitation. I guess I will have to start dealing with a lot of noise in my bedroom. Main reason why I don't use HOBs.

You can have water agitation and not have a lot of noise. Just raise the water level until you the noise is minimal. You'll still get that flow from them. You could also use a canister with a spraybar angled up a little and it'll keep the protein layer to a minimum.

[allysangels]

spraybars are the loudest, though. personally, i love that sound... theres really nowhere in my house you can't hear it. i find it very peaceful and relaxing, even though i do find it makes guests frequent "the facilities" a bit more often. lol.

[mistahoo]

I like the sound too. Reminds me of a waterfall! Though the spraybar doesn't make much noise unless I the water level is low.

[Jozle]

All my nanos are on spraybars pointing upwards. Not enough water agitation to break the protein layers apparently.

[mistahoo]

Probably not. The only spraybar I have I have is on a Zoo Med 501 on a 5g. It's giving a lot of agitation so there's no protein build up