Bubbles or algae ???

jamnelsvgs · 01-30-2002, 11:03 PM

I hate to revisit a subject that was addressed recently, but I'm still lost and think my problem may be different from the original problem that was addressed. I am still cycling my 55 gallon tank and I now have small bubbles over most of my live rock, filter tubes and some of the glass. The bubbles are maybe an eighth of an inch in diameter , dont seem to be growing in size at all , do seem to be increasing in prescense in the tank. The amount of brown algae in the tank is also getting fairly high. When I described it to my LFS they stated they thought it was oxygen being emitted by the algae not a form of algae, but when I looked at previous posts they state that it could be a form of algae. If any body could help me on this subject it would once again be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again
James
(new to reefs old to tanks)

PS getting real impatient to put something else in the tank, but trying to do it right the first time

beach bum · 01-31-2002, 03:57 AM

Don't suppose you have a picture?

Well, it sounds like plain old air bubbles to me. I noticed during my last diatom bloom that bubbles seemed to really like adhering to that brown crap. So, stick your hand in the tank and feel it. When you brush it are bubbles released or disappearing? Or does it feel like a plant?

I bet they just brush away. If so, then no worries, just let it do its thing and it will be gone soon.

chris

jamnelsvgs · 01-31-2002, 09:23 AM

Hopefully this pic will show you what I am talking about

tdwyatt · 01-31-2002, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Hopefully this pic will show you what I am talking about

Could be algae, but prolly a thin coat of Cyanobacteria, normal when cycling new marine aquaria, a sign that things are going well...

Cyanobacteria are not actually an "algae" in the sense that we normally think of them, might want to read up on this microorganism in the archives. They are a separate kingdom of VERY primitive unicellular organisms called blue-green algae, and are neither plant, animal, bacteria nor fungi. They are an essential part of almost all food chains in the marine biotopes we use, and although they will occasionally bloom out of control, are absolutely a necessary part of the ecosystems we try to emulate

Big Dave · 01-31-2002, 09:42 AM

Hey James-

I am going through the same thing as you. About a month and a half ago I added a bunch of live rock and a substrate change to sand. I am getting the bubbles, which I think is what you have. Any time I have seen bubble algea, it has had kind of a silvery look to it. Do the brush test and if the bubble float up that's good! Then it's just air bubbles and will go away in time. Also, I redirected a power head towards the area and the bubbles seem to go away on their own with the current. Good luck! HTH

-Big Dave

Emprr_Angl · 01-31-2002, 10:11 AM

Yuck, you have a slime algae problem. those bubbles are filled with methane gas or so i hear. From my experience, slime (& hair algae) springs up from sticking hands in the tank that have soap on them. You may wanna test for phosphates. Youd be surprised how long some soaps stay on your hands. Wash your hands with dish soap then rinse them again real hard an hour later, youll see a thin lather build up.

Solution:
1) Buy a couple dozen snails, they eat the slime
2) Increase the frequency of water changes.
3) Keep your hands out of the tank, heheh

That bloom didnt happen over night so solutions wont fix the problem over night.
Hope this helps

-Chris C

tdwyatt · 01-31-2002, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Emprr_Angl
Yuck, you have a slime algae problem. those bubbles are filled with methane gas or so i hear. From my experience, slime (& hair algae) springs up from sticking hands in the tank that have soap on them...That bloom didnt happen over night so solutions wont fix the problem over night.

Although the recommendations that Chris made on the snails/phosphate testing, etc., were sound, the suggestion that hand soap and oils cause this algal bloom is a bit far fetched. Although there is a problems with the oils and soaps on your skin, they are not the cause of the bloom you are seeing. Chris's suggestion that you keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible is right on the money. I would suggest that you use a pair of reef gloves rather than expose the creatures in the tank to the sebum and environmental contaminants on your skin. When the oils and surfactants (soaps/detergents) on your skin are introduced to the tank, they will have a very definite effect on many of the inhabitants of your aquarium and physical properties of the water as well. In tanks that have skimmers, the production of foam can be completely stopped by immersion of your hands into the aquarium water (as can the addition of food stuffs). HOWEVER, the bubbles are NOT METHANE GAS, but oxygen formed as the end result of photosynthesis, and this process is not the result of sticking your hands into the tank. As stated before, it is a normal part of the tank biology, and can occur even in healthy tanks when the conditions are right. These conditions occur with changes in feeding (usually from light to heavy or changes in frequency), changes to long photoperiods, or current/circulation changes. Even changes in the permeability of RO/DI membranes in areas where mains water is high in nitrates can cause these blooms.

Sorry Chris, don't take this as a flame by any means, but we strive to have the best information available for the posts, and identify opinion as such. This helps keep down the number of urban "reef" legends...

Kimber · 01-31-2002, 10:45 AM

I don't know if this helps or not but I always wash my hands and arms with a iodine solution before they go in the tank.

Kim

jamnelsvgs · 01-31-2002, 01:13 PM

Thanks for the info, I do stick my hands in the tank for evrything from placing rock to cleaning the glass, was never a problem with my freshwater tanks, but will be careful now, (have been getting reaction on my skin whenever I do this anyway). Dont feed the tank much only have a feather duuster in the tank right now, Pictured below(getting the hang of this attachment thing and loving it ). Tank is now cycling over 2 weeks, thinking of getting snails and crabs, real soon. Any suggestions on what will help with my algae problem and still be compatible with soft corrals that I would like in the future.
On another note sand reef says hes coming up to see the tank so hopefully he can give me some advice seeing it first hand.

Thanks again and have a great day
James

Emprr_Angl · 01-31-2002, 01:37 PM

no insult taken.

the info came from the owner of fish docters in ypsilanti, mi. the guys been pretty reliable over the yrs with advice and information.

-chris c

Bubbles or algae ???

First attempt at attaching a pic,

Hopefully this pic will show you what I am talking about

Thanks for more info