Strange bubbly things in water....

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LeviathanLady

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2009
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Since we installed our Fluval fx5 about 2 weeks ago, I've noticed what appears to be gazillions of tiny tiny bubbles all through my water? I don't think the things are food particles, they look much more like bubbles.Is this normal? It makes the water look...not exactly cloudy per se, but definitely not "clear" looking. It's kind of hard to show in pics, but I'll try. Water parameters are 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia, 20 nitrate, ph 7.6. Don't remember hardness exactly but it was (as usual with our water) on the hard side. (Oh, and I'm not referring to the bubbles from the bubble curtain, lol...I'm not THAT blonde).

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Micro bubbles? What media are you using in the FX5 any fine filter pads? Is the intake or outlet from the FX5 near your bubble curtain? I don't see anything odd in the pics it may be hard to photo. Also an air leak on your inlet could possibly start this.. Did it happen right after installing the FX5 ?
 
don't have a Fluval, but I know that in an Eheim it is possible for air bubbles to get into the spray bar . . . basically, if the filter wasn't completely filled before you start it up, sometimes there is a small air pocket that let's air bubbles get into the outtake . . .

when it happens, I shut down the pump, re-prime it, and try again . . . only takes a minute or two . . .
 
i had the same problem w/ my tank its probably the fx5, look closely and see if these small particles are coming from the filter output if so then its micro bubbles

it has to much media in it, or it if your using addition filter pads besides the sponges it will cause this

this is one of the reasons im starting to dislike the fx5, if you add any addition mech filtration you will get these micro bubbles, but if you dont the bio media will be covered in crud, and in my opinion its a pia to clean the fx5

let us know
 
Make sure the top is tightened down evenly and not too tight. I had microbubbles and when i took the FX5 apart a couple of the fasteners were really tight and when i put it back together i made sure they were all evenly tightened, and then i had no more bubbles. Not sure if thats what it was, but its worth trying
 
Bubble like, or bubbles???
You could be going through a mini cycle.
 
Just wondering if these bubbles are actually "bad" for the tank or is it more an aesthetic problem?
 
its microbubbles... (google fx5 microbubbles and im sure theres gonna be loads of posts on it)
You'll get it by packing the FX5 with too much media... if you use the fine filter pads inside the filter it tends to block the filter to such a degree that it sucks air in through the gaskets and creates tiny bubbles (and a gurgling sound becuase of the air trapped in thelid of the filter).

I have 2 FX5's now and had this issue first about 2-3 years ago... if you unpack the filter and take out any fine filtration pads you have inside (not the sponge pads on the outside)... or just not pack it so tightly, it will work a charm and be next to silent too.
 
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