Tiny bubbles on the surface of the display tank

[Gabbone]

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?

 

[vetteguy53081]

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?

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

 

[Gabbone]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Video does not play. You tube video works good

 

[Gabbone]

I think water level should be fine?

 

[dave001]

Diatoms or something else growing in the return pump pipe? Could clean with 3% peroxide to see it helps?

 

[Gabbone]

I've clean the pump and the pipe few days ago...

 

[Manpeckz]

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?

 

[Gabbone]

Nop, returning pump is my only flow maker.

 

[Manpeckz]

Nop, returning pump is my only flow maker.

See if you can direct the nozzle more towards the surface so the water breaks with some momentum and then hits that area.

 

[Gabbone]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Gabbone]

Considering I'll have in the future some corals, should I get a power head or a wave maker?

 

[vetteguy53081]

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

 

[Gabbone]

I have a skimmer in the back chamber of my sump. Should be enough?

 

[Gabbone]

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?

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

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

 

[Gabbone]

However, now the bubbles burst after they are formed. Water splashes lightly on the glass. But there are hundreds of bubbles

 

[Manpeckz]

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.