Foam at top of water - is this normal?

[Sharkbait19]

Hi, I’m new here and, after months of planning, have just filled my first saltwater aquarium, a Fluval Evo 13.5. Yesterday I purchased 20 pounds of Caribsea Arag Alive live sand, and have filled the tank with saltwater, having used Instant Ocean Reef Crystals (I’m planning ahead for corals). I’m really exited to add live rocks, as the kicked up sand cleared VERY fast. Before I go out and buy the rocks, there’s one problem I want to solve. There is a lot of foam at the top of the water (it literally looks like a baking soda volcano) I’ve been clearing up the excess foam in the filtration system. Based on my research, I think it could either be the new saltwater still being stirred by the filter, or air from the live sand. Either way, I’m sure it will clear up. However, I don’t want to overlook this and have this turn out to be a problem for the filtration. Is this a normal experience?

ps- I did consider getting a protein skimmer which could solve this problem, but all the advice I’ve received have said that in such a small aquarium, it’s easier (and cheaper) to scoop out waste myself.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

I think it could be the sand, although the foaming is usually prevalent in dry sand, but the live sand may cause it too. The salt shouldn't cause foam. protein skimmer would probably clear it out if its organic based. Post a pic if you can.

Do you have an overflow on the tank? i've always had experiences of surface muck in tanks without a surface overflow. Do you have any flow in the tank right now?

 

[Sharkbait19]

The only flow I currently have is from the return pump, but I may install a wave maker if I find i need I it down the line, and I’ve been told the protein skimmer wouldn’t be necessary for a nano tank. There is an overflow, where most of the foam collects up.
It was much worse before I cleaned it up a bit, but here is an idea of what I’m dealing with:

 

[LeftyReefer]

When I rinsed my sand, a bunch of this foam flowed out of my bucket. I'm guessing you didn't rinse the sand first?

It should clear up, but if you didn't rinse the sand, I'd be sure to syphon the heck out of it to get the fines out before you plop a bunch of rock on top of it.

 

[Sharkbait19]

When I rinsed my sand, a bunch of this foam flowed out of my bucket. I'm guessing you didn't rinse the sand first?

It should clear up, but if you didn't rinse the sand, I'd be sure to syphon the heck out of it to get the fines out before you plop a bunch of rock on top of it.

I was going to rinse it, but I was told I shouldn’t as it would kill much of the bacteria.... I’ve been taking out some of the foam, inspecting any excess. also, this being my first time with aquarium sand, does siphoning it work like it would with gravel?

 

[Glass Algae]

I was going to rinse it, but I was told I shouldn’t as it would kill much of the bacteria.... I’ve been taking out some of the foam, inspecting any excess. also, this being my first time with aquarium sand, does siphoning it work like it would with gravel?

Highly reccomend the sand rinse thread. Washing the sand doesn't remove all of the bacteria just a little. It is underwater bacteria. You're removing all the dust and fine particles contained in the sand.

You can get the same effect of "live" sand shipped to you after sitting in a warehouse by rinsing the sand and adding biospira to seed the substrate. Plus if something falls or kicks up sand you won't have to look at silt for hours.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Highly reccomend the sand rinse thread. Washing the sand doesn't remove all of the bacteria just a little. It is underwater bacteria. You're removing all the dust and fine particles contained in the sand.

You can get the same effect of "live" sand shipped to you after sitting in a warehouse by rinsing the sand and adding biospira to seed the substrate. Plus if something falls or kicks up sand you won't have to look at silt for hours.

Eek. Wish I’d known to rinse it......
The foam is slowly clearing up, with my assistance, so it should be gone soon. I just hope it isn’t detrimental to the filtration. Is it?

 

[LeftyReefer]

I was going to rinse it, but I was told I shouldn’t as it would kill much of the bacteria.... I’ve been taking out some of the foam, inspecting any excess. also, this being my first time with aquarium sand, does siphoning it work like it would with gravel?

Yes, you can vacuum/siphon your sand just like you would gravel, but depending on the grain size of your sand, it can be a little trickier, but same concept. If you get a cloud when you disturb the sand bed..... I would try siphoning those fines out before you load anything else in the tank. Do it now, before it gets much marder after the tank is stocked with livestock and or coral and heavy rocks.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Yes, you can vacuum/siphon your sand just like you would gravel, but depending on the grain size of your sand, it can be a little trickier, but same concept. If you get a cloud when you disturb the sand bed..... I would try siphoning those fines out before you load anything else in the tank. Do it now, before it gets much marder after the tank is stocked with livestock and or coral and heavy rocks.

Thanks! Currently I have a very bulky siphon, but I’m looking to get a smaller one for when I have rocks and fish.

 

[Glass Algae]

Eek. Wish I’d known to rinse it......
The foam is slowly clearing up, with my assistance, so it should be gone soon. I just hope it isn’t detrimental to the filtration. Is it?

It's not tooooo big of a deal more of a minor inconvenience.

The work you didn't do rinsing it will just be done Lil by Lil every water change. I'd kick up your sand before 10 and 20 percent water changes. As well as directly siphon the sand.

I'm sure after a month or two the noticeable amount of silt will diminish alot.

Hey worst case scenerio now your tank will cycle quick(er)

 

[Sharkbait19]

It's not tooooo big of a deal more of a minor inconvenience.

The work you didn't do rinsing it will just be done Lil by Lil every water change. I'd kick up your sand before 10 and 20 percent water changes. As well as directly siphon the sand.

I'm sure after a month or two the noticeable amount of silt will diminish alot.

Hey worst case scenerio now your tank will cycle quick(er)

Thanks! I’m planning on getting the live rock tomorrow, so I’ll probably siphon the sand beforehand. The salt levels a bit high anyway, so removing some water ain’t a big deal!

 

[Nburg's Reef]

I don't think there is any hazard per say not rinsing sand, but it does take longer to clear up. if you use a sand siphon to clean your sand, it will help get some of the future gunk out of there. that foam is normal is will likely go away by removal and some filter pads.

 

[Glass Algae]

I don't think there is any hazard per say not rinsing sand, but it does take longer to clear up. if you use a sand siphon to clean your sand, it will help get some of the future gunk out of there. that foam is normal is will likely go away by removal and some filter pads.

+1 this

 

[Sharkbait19]

I don't think there is any hazard per say not rinsing sand, but it does take longer to clear up. if you use a sand siphon to clean your sand, it will help get some of the future gunk out of there. that foam is normal is will likely go away by removal and some filter pads.

The water is perfectly clear already, as the sand came with this chemical to pour into the filter. I will be using the siphon probably to remove any air or dirt from the sand. Thanks for the tips, though!!

 

[Glass Algae]

The water is perfectly clear already, as the sand came with this chemical to pour into the filter. I will be using the siphon probably to remove any air or dirt from the sand. Thanks for the tips, though!!

Np! Can't wait to see your progress! Make a build thread for us to follow!

 

[Sharkbait19]

Np! Can't wait to see your progress! Make a build thread for us to follow!

Thanks for the help! I’ve created a build thread which I will update tomorrow when I purchase the live rocks.