Surface scum

I know what you mean...I'd suggest a simple fluval or eheim surface skimmer. Have them on all my tanks...Problem solved..

 

Geez, I'm not sure about the second PC light coming on with regards to it causing the surface scum via the plants. I'd just rather just apply the skimmer and be done with it as I find surface scum can come from so many different sources.

 

Graf:

tom and dusko (credited, Tom for posting) have a good article on tank algea.
Aquarium Algae ID (updated)
scroll down to 6/2/07. I too had this problem, I gave up and bought a HOB power filter w/ surface skimmer from Dr Fosters and Smith
Power Filter: Bio System Power Filter & Surface Skimmer from Drs. Foster and Smith
it fixed the problem but as the article states, I believe it was the increased circulation that fixed the problem not the skimmer.

Good luck and let us know what you did to correct the problem

 

there is not too much surface agitation at all if I keep the water level up, just a little ripple. I did have to up the bbs a little but CO2 is cheap in my book vs beauty of the tank. if you have an extra powerhead laying around try that for a couple of days (use it w/o the venturi, pointing from mid water or high water level and point it downward). just to reiterate, I did bump up the co2 level but just a bit, I dont do any testing per the EI dosing, I use a drop checker to monitor ( a good guestimate) to notice just a lighter shade of green tword the blue side, meaning

 

The poor man's solution is paper towels. If surface scum has built up in a tank then, before I do a water change, I place cheap, non-scented, white paper towel on the surface of the tank. Leave it there for a few second and then lift it out. The paper towel soaks up the surface scum and into the trash it goes. Not very elegant but it works.