What's going on here - surface bubbles

[Bradders]

Hi All,

A new aquarium, new filter, heavily planted, CO2 injected, started 10 days ago, with no livestock.

All looked OK, then I started going down from daily to 3 times a week water changes from Tuesday, and the below bubble-tastic surface started. (Water changes may be unrelated).

Doesn't look great, but does anyone know what this means?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[martinjcxn]

My guess is it’s a build up of organics and proteins, most likely leaching out of the aqua soil. Foamy water is a tell tale sign of excess proteins/ organics in your water.

I wouldn’t stress too much yet, and it will likely clear soon if you keep doing your water changes. Unless you’re adding dish soap to your tank for some inexplicable reason

 

[Spartacus]

Hi Bradders,

I had a similar issue albeit with around 1/3rd of the bubbles but surface film also. Using Tropica Aquasoil - I raised the outlets on my filters to make more surface agitation and that has definitely helped with the film and the bubbles reduced significantly.

I don’t know what caused the bubbles (someone said it was ammonia from the soil but who knows)

Thanks,

Murray

 

[Maf 2500]

Try floating a sheet or two of kitchen roll on the surface for a few seconds and then remove. Should pick up most of the surface film that is trapping the bubbles.

 

[Bradders]

Thanks @martinjcxn, @Spartacus and @Maf 2500.

I am indeed using Tropica Aquairum Soil. Also, the aquarium is very new so hoping this is all just part of the process. As suggested, I might increase surface agitatiion for a while and also up the water changes for another week.

Plants are definitely growing, seeing pearling and DO was at 7.5mg/l tonight before lights out. I might just check whether Amonnia is a problem tomorrow morning first thing.