Tiny bubbles on the surface of the display tank

Gabbone

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Messages
481
Reaction score
248
Location
The Netherlands
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi guys!

As mentioned in the title, I have an AIO 32G, 1.5 months old.

Lately, I am having some tiny bubbles on the surface. (See pic below)

The bubbles seem to be created by the jet of water coming out of the return pump, pushed down by the jet, like a small vortex and then they rise up and stagnate on the side of the aquarium where there is little agitation.

- I have already checked my tunze9001 skimmer (if on or off, it doesn't change; my skimmer doesn't even produce any foam, just kind of boiling water because I think there's no much to skim). I don't have any corals or fish. Just 20 inverts.
- NH3 is 0 / NO2 is 0.075 / NO3 is 25ppm / PO4 is 0.08ppm.
- There's no oily water on the surface that could trap the bubbles; (bubbles can be easily removed manually and they don't stink or leave yellowish water on the cleaning paper.
- I also tried to direct the outflow of the return pump upwards so as to create more agitation but it's still the same thing

What it could be?


IMG_0674.jpg
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
99,195
Reaction score
224,088
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Hi guys!

As mentioned in the title, I have an AIO 32G, 1.5 months old.

Lately, I am having some tiny bubbles on the surface. (See pic below)

The bubbles seem to be created by the jet of water coming out of the return pump, pushed down by the jet, like a small vortex and then they rise up and stagnate on the side of the aquarium where there is little agitation.

- I have already checked my tunze9001 skimmer (if on or off, it doesn't change; my skimmer doesn't even produce any foam, just kind of boiling water because I think there's no much to skim). I don't have any corals or fish. Just 20 inverts.
- NH3 is 0 / NO2 is 0.075 / NO3 is 25ppm / PO4 is 0.08ppm.
- There's no oily water on the surface that could trap the bubbles; (bubbles can be easily removed manually and they don't stink or leave yellowish water on the cleaning paper.

What it could be?


IMG_0674.jpg
Not abnormal and likely proteins or bubbles rising to the surface. If you have an overflow, your water level is low and is barely flowing into the box. If not, insufficient surface maovement
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
99,195
Reaction score
224,088
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0

dave001

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2023
Messages
50
Reaction score
24
Location
Bedroom
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Diatoms or something else growing in the return pump pipe? Could clean with 3% peroxide to see it helps?
 

Manpeckz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
239
Reaction score
563
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not abnormal and likely proteins or bubbles rising to the surface. If you have an overflow, your water level is low and is barely flowing into the box. If not, insufficient surface maovement
+1 Surface agitation. Do you have a specific wave maker or flow maker of some sort other than your return pump?
 
OP
OP
Gabbone

Gabbone

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Messages
481
Reaction score
248
Location
The Netherlands
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I direct the nozzle all the way up to brake the surface tension but it seems having a strange result: much more bubbles are flowing in the display tank but they don't pile up in the corner
 

Manpeckz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
239
Reaction score
563
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I direct the nozzle all the way up to brake the surface tension but it seems having a strange result: much more bubbles are flowing in the display tank but they don't pile up in the corner
This is called gas exchange :)
 

Mr. Mojo Rising

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
8,975
Reaction score
10,496
Location
Toronto
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The water surface looks flat. Better to get a powerhead in there and aim it at the water surface to get that stuff back in the water so your skimmer can skim it out. Stuff floating on the surface can’t be filtered out, improving the flow in the tank will help.

The return nozzle is to return water, get a power head to improve the flow in the tank.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
99,195
Reaction score
224,088
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
I direct the nozzle all the way up to brake the surface tension but it seems having a strange result: much more bubbles are flowing in the display tank but they don't pile up in the corner
It may break surface but not provide the necessary movement
You have a mechanical filter but lack chemical and biological
A hang on protein skimmer will help as will a hang on bio power filter or ideal. - hang on region such as cpr backpack
 
OP
OP
Gabbone

Gabbone

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Messages
481
Reaction score
248
Location
The Netherlands
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I raised the nozzle even higher and now I can hear the sound of the water smashing on the surface and tons of small/big bubbles are coming and spreading out like crazy. Is that normal?

IMG_0684.jpg
 

Aquariumaddictuk

Discus Sensei, Reefing Padawan
View Badges
Joined
Feb 7, 2023
Messages
601
Reaction score
721
Location
Cambridge
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have one small powerhead pointed up at surface to aid gas exchange & create a more random flow.
Worth adding one.doesnt have to be super expensive a basic one such as hygger or a small sicce would do
 

Manpeckz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
239
Reaction score
563
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Don’t make yourself a mess :p Just enough to create a rippling effect, no big splashing. That’s just gonna lead to precipitation on the areas that should be dry.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

DOES YOUR TANK HAVE A "THEME"? SHOW OFF YOUR REEF IN THE COMMENTS!

  • Yes, my reef has a theme!

    Votes: 18 25.0%
  • No, if I like it I put it in there!

    Votes: 52 72.2%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 2 2.8%
Back
Top