huge bubble build up 20-40 minutes after feeding

Third Coast · 07/07/2016, 01:43 PM

I have a 20 gallon "native critter" saltwater aquarium. Everything that's in it.... fish, oyster shells, or other creatures are things my kids and I have come across. mud minnows, croaker, pin perch, hermit crabs, sea lice, shrimp, etc. basically, it's an indoor bait tank.

I feed regular frozen shrimp that I grate on a cheese grater. (don't tell the wife). for whatever reason, in the last week, about 30 minutes after I feed, bubbles are starting to form on the surface. Not just regular aeration bubbles... more like a bubble bath. They actually build to the point they climb and spill over the tank. several inches high. They will go away after a few hours, but I'm just wondering what the deal is. I usually feed one large shrimp, and it's consumed in probably 45 seconds. I don't think I'm feeding too much.

any ideas? also, This isn't an expensive set up. I have a tetra 60 air pump, and a tetra 70 filter pump. I usually change out 4 or 5 gallons of water every other week or so. I know I have a lot of fish for the tank size, maybe that's part of the issue also.

thanks!

Third Coast · 07/07/2016, 01:50 PM

mcgyvr · 07/07/2016, 02:59 PM

ever tested the water?
results? nitrates/phosphates?

bubbles is probably just a build up of proteins/organics and your air bubbles (I assume thats what the tetra air pump is doing) is just acting like a skimmer trying to take the crap out..

sounds like you may be overfeeding/too much in the tank and just not maintaining it like a proper saltwater setup needs.. saltwater isn't as easy as freshwater.. It requires proper equipment, maintenance, and frequent testing to ensure parameters are staying stable..

you probably just have a "dirty" tank now and the water changes alone are not sufficient.. I'd guess very high nitrate levels too, probably high phosphates and probably algae growth..

OrQidz · 07/07/2016, 03:30 PM

Any chance there is dish detergent on the grater? (like maybe your wife is washing it extra good because it keeps smelling fishy for some reason)

Third Coast · 07/07/2016, 06:20 PM

Ha! No, I'm pretty sure the grater is clean. It's just weird. The tank starts foaming like crazy after I feed, then goes away in about 3 hours. I might get a water test kit and see. I didn't really want to spend a ton of.money. might just release half the fish that are in it and see if that helps.

SeattleReefer · 07/07/2016, 07:01 PM

congratulations, you just built your first diy protein skimmer.

OrQidz · 07/07/2016, 08:50 PM

LOL well I won't tell your wife where that grater has been! I think you may just have a ton of nutrients in that tank. There are a lot of fish in there! Decreasing the bioload may help. If you don't want to spend a ton of money on test kits, the LFS should be willing to test a sample for you.

07/07/2016, 01:43 PM	#1
Third Coast Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 4	huge bubble build up 20-40 minutes after feeding I have a 20 gallon "native critter" saltwater aquarium. Everything that's in it.... fish, oyster shells, or other creatures are things my kids and I have come across. mud minnows, croaker, pin perch, hermit crabs, sea lice, shrimp, etc. basically, it's an indoor bait tank. I feed regular frozen shrimp that I grate on a cheese grater. (don't tell the wife). for whatever reason, in the last week, about 30 minutes after I feed, bubbles are starting to form on the surface. Not just regular aeration bubbles... more like a bubble bath. They actually build to the point they climb and spill over the tank. several inches high. They will go away after a few hours, but I'm just wondering what the deal is. I usually feed one large shrimp, and it's consumed in probably 45 seconds. I don't think I'm feeding too much. any ideas? also, This isn't an expensive set up. I have a tetra 60 air pump, and a tetra 70 filter pump. I usually change out 4 or 5 gallons of water every other week or so. I know I have a lot of fish for the tank size, maybe that's part of the issue also. thanks! Last edited by Third Coast; 07/07/2016 at 01:51 PM.

07/07/2016, 02:59 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	ever tested the water? results? nitrates/phosphates? bubbles is probably just a build up of proteins/organics and your air bubbles (I assume thats what the tetra air pump is doing) is just acting like a skimmer trying to take the crap out.. sounds like you may be overfeeding/too much in the tank and just not maintaining it like a proper saltwater setup needs.. saltwater isn't as easy as freshwater.. It requires proper equipment, maintenance, and frequent testing to ensure parameters are staying stable.. you probably just have a "dirty" tank now and the water changes alone are not sufficient.. I'd guess very high nitrate levels too, probably high phosphates and probably algae growth.. __________________ Who me?

07/07/2016, 01:50 PM	#2
Third Coast Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 4

07/07/2016, 03:30 PM	#4
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	Any chance there is dish detergent on the grater? (like maybe your wife is washing it extra good because it keeps smelling fishy for some reason)

07/07/2016, 06:20 PM	#5
Third Coast Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 4	Ha! No, I'm pretty sure the grater is clean. It's just weird. The tank starts foaming like crazy after I feed, then goes away in about 3 hours. I might get a water test kit and see. I didn't really want to spend a ton of.money. might just release half the fish that are in it and see if that helps.

07/07/2016, 07:01 PM	#6
SeattleReefer Moved On Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 230	congratulations, you just built your first diy protein skimmer.

07/07/2016, 08:50 PM	#7
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	LOL well I won't tell your wife where that grater has been! I think you may just have a ton of nutrients in that tank. There are a lot of fish in there! Decreasing the bioload may help. If you don't want to spend a ton of money on test kits, the LFS should be willing to test a sample for you.