bubbles on the surface

Sarah84 · 10-29-2006, 11:07 AM

Hi Everyone

my tank is six weeks old, and I did a 10-15% water change two days ago, and now i have massive bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass. I've had them before but not as bad as they are now.. The only difference is that I added two more Guppies to the my tank... Should I do another water change? or???
Thanks for ur guys' help

Sarah

RedBaron · 10-29-2006, 12:53 PM

If I remember correctly, you had several guppies to begin with. I would suggest doing a 25% water change right now and not adding any additional fish until at least 1 month from now.

Please post some test results, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate so that we can offer some more specific advice to your specific situation.

Sarah84 · 10-29-2006, 01:01 PM

I had 3 to begin with..... and i was only left with 1 and the end, and a cory catfish. I had my water tested and i had no amonia, i was told the nitrate/nitrite levels were "safe" paratmeters and... the ph was neutral.. i didnt ask for the exact number.. I will to to the local LFS today and get the water checked again. and update you guys... and get the exact parameters.

Sarah84 · 10-29-2006, 01:07 PM

The fish are acting 'normal' and are very active. I know when i was having water problems in the beginning they would hover at the surface of the tank. It's a 10gallon tank 25% water change okay? Or is that too much?

Jay · 10-29-2006, 01:19 PM

When you go to the lfs ask them to give you a GH number.

A 50% water change would not be too much.

Do you have any surface agitation say from a filter or airstone? It sounds to me like an organic film or slick with some bacteria thrown in. It needs some agitation so the film will mix with the water, then a big change and it will go away.

IME it is harmless although that condition can interfere with O2 exchange at the water surface. Good water circulation and some surface agitation are important.

Regards,
Jay

Sarah84 · 10-29-2006, 01:38 PM

Thanks guys..

I have an aquaclear 20 filter, and the water falls outta the filter (from spout to the water surface) about 1/2 inch - 3/4 inches.. would that create the water bubbles around the edge of the glass? Should the water be level at the spout where the water comes out? or is agitation good? I will do a water change here in a bit when i get back from the LFS

I appriciate all the help

Tommy Gun · 10-29-2006, 02:35 PM

I have the same type (but different brand) of filter and I keep my water line just above the 'lip' that the water returns from the filter into the tank because otherwise my living room would be too noisy. However, over time, the water evaporates and I can hear the water falling. Still, I never get any water bubbles when this happens.

Bubbles in water tend to occur more frequently in soft water rather than in hard water (the metals in the water are too heavy and pop them before they get a chance to form). You may have some super soft water on your hands here and the agitation from the filter could be creating a situation in which the oxygen gets trapped by the easy to make bubbles. This is just a hunch though but I might try some techniques to raise your Gh a bit (Jay or someone else might know of some good ones). I am going to use my phsycic powers again here and say that your LFS probrably wont test for hardness, but then again, I have been wrong before (only once this year though!). If they do test for it, I would also take in a sample of your tap water, if this is the water you use for the tank.

It also sounds like your tank may not be completely cycled. I am looking at a 10 gallon tank of mine right now that is going through a mini-cycle and there are bubbles around the glass where the water line is. It would help if you could either get your own test kit or get the actual numbers from your LFS so you know where you stand as far as having a cycled tank.