Air bubbles = Gloomy water

[Dr Joe]

If the "bubbles" didn't all float to the surface in a few minutes that theory is in question.

It can be free floating algae, and if it is the fish will be ok.

Cover the tank so no light can get in, for 3-4 days and NO peeking.

Reduce feedings to a minimum during this time.

What we are trying to do is break the algae's growth cycle and starve it to death. And yes it has to be for that long or it won't work .

During this period you can install the new blinds or curtains .

When the time is up scrape/brush/clean everything good, do a W/C and let the filter clean up the rest.

Dr Joe

.

 

[SEAN888]

I hate those little bubbles

 

[Angler]

If the "bubbles" didn't all float to the surface in a few minutes that theory is in question.

It can be free floating algae, and if it is the fish will be ok.

Cover the tank so no light can get in, for 3-4 days and NO peeking.

Reduce feedings to a minimum during this time.

What we are trying to do is break the algae's growth cycle and starve it to death. And yes it has to be for that long or it won't work .

During this period you can install the new blinds or curtains .

When the time is up scrape/brush/clean everything good, do a W/C and let the filter clean up the rest.

Dr Joe

.

I have to cover up the tank for 3-4 days? How am I suppose to look at my fish??

I installed blinds tonight, and I did a large water change. Thanks for your help, Dr. Joe. I probably would have eventually figured out what my real problem was, but you helped me figure it out a lot quicker! Thanks much.

 

[Angler]

Ok, covering the tank is not going to work. I tried twice, and both times, my decent sized redhooks absolutely freaked out! It was not just the movement that freaked them out. I left the sheet over the tank, and they jumped and freaked out continuously until I took the sheet off. One fish got stuck behind the filter intake, and scales were floating all over the place.

Should I be able to get rid of all the algae without covering the tank? The room will remain fairly dark now (well, at least fairly un-bright).

 

[Waldo]

Just out of curiosity have you checked your water for Nitrite. It's a possability that the millions of tiny bubbles are from such large water changes. The bacteria that starts breaking down Nitrites occure around the 7-10 day range and if you are doing a water change every week it would make sense that the bacteria is not establishing itself properly... like Over loving your tank. This would leave an abundance of the unbroken down gas in your tank which does not dissopate (float and go into the air).

 

[Bderick67]

With your xp3s make sure the "primming cap' is on tight on the intake tube. Also make sure the baskets are stacked right inside the cannister(they should fit tight into each other and the top should secure them in place). If the basket are not fitted you'll pull air into the impellar(this air is in the cannister and you can see it by tilting cannister to the side).

 

[ziggy2]

Water changes are not going to hurt the bb. The bacteria live mostly in the filter media, not so much free floating in the water.

 

[Waldo]

So what your saying is taking away their food will not kill the benificial bacteria? Funny thing is that is what fluidized beds were designed for. Because the bacteria can regenerate faster in fluidized beds. CF's would not be able to make rapid changes in bacteria levels.

Generally when people say they have a cloudy tank they are usually high in nitrite... A week or two into their cycle. It would make sense if there is peaks of high and low nitrite every week that the sustained bacteria would be low. Does that make sense?

 

[cichlid savage]

I get bubbles in my tank when the water level drops from evaporation. Try filling the tank to just below the outlet of the HOBs.

 

[Angler]

So what your saying is taking away their food will not kill the benificial bacteria? Funny thing is that is what fluidized beds were designed for. Because the bacteria can regenerate faster in fluidized beds. CF's would not be able to make rapid changes in bacteria levels.

Generally when people say they have a cloudy tank they are usually high in nitrite... A week or two into their cycle. It would make sense if there is peaks of high and low nitrite every week that the sustained bacteria would be low. Does that make sense?

My parameters are good.