What to use for bubbles....?

[TaknByD]

I'm not too sure if this belongs in the Emergency area but I figured that a mod would move it if it shouldn't be here... I have noticed a build up of bubbles on the top of the water and a friend of mine whom also has a saltwater tank said that this was bad. What can I use to get rid of these little bubbles? I tried doing a water change but they always come back. Thanks in advance...

[Mr Cob]

maybe a build up of nutrients? Are you skimming? if so, maybe skim wet...? My 55g that does not have a skimmer on it will do this from time to time and I just increase my water changes and slow down on feeding. I get this buildup in my sump. I have heavy water movement in the display so nothing can buildup up there.

Try and break your surface by pointing some pumps at the surface as well.

[tonyydeee]

I've seen that in tanks without a skimmer.

[CoryDude]

If the bubbles are collecting on the top and near the edge of the glass, then it's usually an abundance of dissolved organics causing it. I'd go with Cob's suggestions for a remedy.

[TaknByD]

Thanks a ton guys.... My 55g corner bow front has no room left for a skimmer... It's almost like it was made for my emperor 400. I will try Mr. Cobs advice and see how well things work out. Thanks for the great advice guys. I really appreciate it.

[jroescher]

If there is someplace you can put a temporary filter pad it will help to quickly take out some the excess stuff in the water. I've had that problem in the past if I let things go for too long with maintenance.

[CoryDude]

Thanks a ton guys.... My 55g corner bow front has no room left for a skimmer... It's almost like it was made for my emperor 400. I will try Mr. Cobs advice and see how well things work out. Thanks for the great advice guys. I really appreciate it.


Since you're not running a skimmer and catching the proteins and organics, you need to export them through some other means. Regular large water changes are one way. Purigen from Seachem is another. It's a fine grain media that removes organics and nitrates. A 250ml bottle and the micron bag needed to use it ran me about $30.

[justahobby]

Try pointing a powerhead up to create more surface agitation too

[hobogato]

when you do water changes, use a small glass bowl to scoop some of the discard water out of the tank. first, turn off all the pumps and let the water sit still for a few minutes. then, carefully put the bowl into the water so the water slowly pours over the surface into the bowl. it will skim the top surface of the water. it won't take too many bowls of water to get the surface completely cleared up. i do this on my tank since i am not running a skimmer and it keeps the surface nice and clean - in essence, be a human skimmer :)

[RayAllen]

Sounds like you have a sumpless tank. You are going to always have a film on top of the water because you do not have water skimming over into a overflow. You can cut down by having more surface aggitation via powerheads. You are also running a HOB filter you could try running one side as a fuge with macro algae and a small light. This would help take out some of the excess nutrients, also change out your carbon filters more often.