Heeelp! Bubbles at the surface of my tank, not popping.

[diamondwolf130]

Can anybody give me a detailed explanation of what the problem is with my water please?
I've recently done several water changes (20-50%) and checked my water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, which are low and safe, but over the past few days my water has gathered small bubbles on the surface that stick to the sides of the tank, and won't pop.
I've read around a bit and it seems to be low oxygen levels in my water. But I have two healthy plants that should be providing plenty of oxygen.
Also there is a film of cloud just over the surface of the water (like petrol floating on water.) Apart from that the rest of the water is crystal clear.

Could anyone please state the reasons why my water is like this or give a definate answer and solutions?

(My tank is 10 Gallon with 2 Musk Turtles and 4 Corydoras. (2 Died) , I think one had swim bladder disease or overate and the other got stuck behind a rock and got too stressed.)

[Graham]

The film on the surface is excess oil from the food, bubbles from an airstone can help to break this up, or a jet of water from the filter directed towards the surface does the same.

I get foam on the surface from time to time, it comes and goes and I'm never quite sure what causes it, because it disappears of it's own accord after a day or two I've never bothered to do anything about it!

[diamondwolf130]

Originally Posted by Graham

The film on the surface is excess oil from the food, bubbles from an airstone can help to break this up, or a jet of water from the filter directed towards the surface does the same.

I get foam on the surface from time to time, it comes and goes and I'm never quite sure what causes it, because it disappears of it's own accord after a day or two I've never bothered to do anything about it!

Thanks for your fast reply Graham!
I think my filter needs cleaning. Also it's only been setup a few weeks! The one I had in before was much better but the problem with that one is that it was so big I had to have the water level really high and my poor musks didn't like that one bit!
I did have a Fluval 2 Plus, now I'm using a sucky Fluval U1

[Trillian]

Originally Posted by diamondwolf130

I've recently done several water changes (20-50%) and checked my water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, which are low and safe

What are the actual results? Ammonia and nitrite should both be zero and nitrate as low as possible.

[AnythingWithAShell]

Originally Posted by Graham

The film on the surface is excess oil from the food, bubbles from an airstone can help to break this up, or a jet of water from the filter directed towards the surface does the same.

I get foam on the surface from time to time, it comes and goes and I'm never quite sure what causes it, because it disappears of it's own accord after a day or two I've never bothered to do anything about it!

Me too.

Also, be aware that water test results will be great after a water change, since you've put loads of fresh water in. Remember and test when you haven't just done a water change. Apologies if you do, just wanted to point it out, in case

[diamondwolf130]

Originally Posted by AnythingWithAShell

Me too.

Also, be aware that water test results will be great after a water change, since you've put loads of fresh water in. Remember and test when you haven't just done a water change. Apologies if you do, just wanted to point it out, in case

I am aware of this, thanks for pointing it out anyway =].

I water tested about 4 days after a 20% water change.
Ammonia was pretty much zero, as was nitrites. Nitrates were still present - as to be expected - but not at all high.

I'm getting an airstone today, hopefully that will help clear some of the oil.
There's been no problems with the fish and turtles though, other than the two fish that died of other causes.

[blazingtortoise]

The airstone sounds like a good move. If we get anything like that we hold off feeding for a couple of days. Maybe do that or as yours are small maybe feed in a separate tub till the water clears.

[diamondwolf130]

Originally Posted by blazingtortoise

The airstone sounds like a good move. If we get anything like that we hold off feeding for a couple of days. Maybe do that or as yours are small maybe feed in a separate tub till the water clears.

Yeah, I've been feeding them in a seperate tub for quite some time now, then I started feeding them small portions in their tank. That may of been when this problem arose.

I've just got an airstone with an Elite 802 Air pump.
It works well but it is MUCH too powerful and it is not at all quiet! As it is supposed to be quiet...
It says about ajusting the flow of the pump on the instructions but doesn't actually tell you how.
There is no notch or anything on the pump.
(I'm an Air Pump noob so any advice people can give me would be greatly apreciated!!)
Thanks!

[mariekni]

maybe if you also ask in the fishkeeping section about the air pump they may be able to help you a little bit better.

[diamondwolf130]

Originally Posted by mariekni

maybe if you also ask in the fishkeeping section about the air pump they may be able to help you a little bit better.

Thanks Mariekni, will do