Tiny Bubbles will NOT go away, please help.

[Born4spd]

All my water Parameters are ok. I do weekly water changes. Im running an Aquatech 20-40 HOB power filter.

I have cories, neon tetras, and guppies.

NOW the problem... There are TINY bubbles suspended in the water.

I have tried lowering and raising the water level..
More water changes..

None of this works..


Instead of adding a quick remedy chemical , i want to know what is causing this problem in my tank.

Any one have any ideas?

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m116/Sherwoodhater/0119082045.jpg

[theotheragentm]

Are you talking about the bubbles that are on the top of the water? I can't really see anything in the middle. Bubbles are almost always going to be present from your filter. They get trapped at the surface if you have a film on top. Film can build up from oils in the tank. If you take a paper towel to the top of the water surface, you can soak up some of this oil. That may help.

Also, you can raise your water level. That way the filter has less splash and creates fewer bubbles. The filter doesn't have to create a splash to allow oxygen into the water. It just has to create a ripple. I can't see my water level when I look straight at my tanks. I hide it behind the top border on my tank.

Bubbles are also created during out gassing of water. When you do water changes, the faster moving water holds more gas. Once things settle, you will notice bubbles as well. Plants release bubbles, known as pearling when they are creating oxygen in water that is already saturated with gases.

You're never going to stop bubbles from forming, but to get them out, try removing the film on top like I noted and try to reduce the amount of splash on your filer return.

[Born4spd]

Im going to try to remove the film...

But i am talking about suspended bubbles throughout the tank. (the pics arent grainy.thats bubbles)

It looks like when you run the hot water in the faucet... sry for the bad explanation.

And my water level is all the way up.. it makes a current on the top.

[jpappy789]

Im sorry I cant see any...

[J double R]

how long has the tank been running now? is it cycled? a lot of times there will indeed be a protein film at the top of a new tank, which will go away in time as the tank matures.

[Born4spd]

The tank has been running for a couple months now.

It is cycled.

It think it might be my driftwood?

Does anyone have any pics of a tannin filled tank ?
I think it may be the driftwood.

[J double R]

tannins merely tint the water brown.. they do not creat a film, or bubbles.. if your driftwood caused it, there was something on it when you put it in the tank. what kind of wood is it?

[Born4spd]

Im not sure it caused it i just want to be able to rule it out.

It is Cypress. I have 2 Cypress pieces.

[J double R]

where did you get the cypress?

[Born4spd]

The river...
I cleaned it well.

And this isn't like a fungus or anything alive.. its grain sized bubbles.

[Born4spd]

THink i should try taking it out? just to see?

[Born4spd]

Can a moderater please move this to the general Freshwater Forum?

[rwspear76]

Moving this thread to general fresh water wont help. Try adding a power head to get a true current going, this may help agitate the surface so that a film doesnt form.

[Born4spd]

There is NO film the bubbles are SUSPENDED in the water.
They move with the current..

I have tried changing the water level to maximize and minimize the agitation Neither worked.

[rwspear76]

Have you tried removing the driftwood? You asked earlier if you should. I would remove the driftwood and wait a few days to see ehat happens. How did you clean the driftwood? I would boil it in a large pot pf water for about 10 to 15 mins. It is definately not the tanins from the would they would cause the water to be a brownish color.

[theotheragentm]

I'd remove it just to see. Something is keeping the water "thick" to keep the bubbles suspended.

[Reddog80p]

Looks more like hazy looking water to me. Do you have Hard water?

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/hazy.shtml

[Spinner_01]

I had the same "tiny bubbles" problem with my 55, and it was just that bubbles, not harmful just unsightly....I found the culprit was (strangely enough) frequent water changes, using treated tap water. The bubbles would just about be gone and along comes water change day and back to square one.

My solution....
I use an extra tank with a HUGE airstone to store/off gas my water for water changes, this has the added benefit of not needing to use a declor product since the clorine will have all evaporated while in my "storage tank".
Hope this helps.

[Reddog80p]

How often do you feed your fish? Overfeeding can cause cloudy water also.

[AsaPW]

LOL. That's wierd.