Foam on water surface

Hi, I have some white foam on my water surface what could this mean?

 

Could you post some pictures?

 

what are the water parameters?

 

Usually when rivers and streams foam its because they get agitated enough and there is some impurity in the water.

 

I think you better check your water quality. Usually its the amonia levels that is rising.

 

As far as I am aware, the foam is usually caused by incorrect water parameters/bacteria bloom. How long has your tank cycled for and have you recently done a change of filter media etc? I would suggest doing a water change and monitoring the parameters.

This is not the case here, but 'foam' on the surface of the water can sometimes also be confused with a bubble nest in some cases.

 

I have cleaned one filter this past Sunday, I leave the other for this Sunday. I changed the air supply to low and the foam reduced. But this tank where running from Sunday till now with no foam.

Hi Have the following stuff I could put in,

Daro
-Aqua Chlor
-Aqua Tonic
-Stop Ick
-Stop Fungus

Tetra Medica
- General Tonic

Or should I do a water change? and how much? I read on the net you should not do more than 15% and the water is really cold now. Should I monitor it till the morning and do one then?

I can only test the PH and it's around 7.2

 

do you have prepared water?
If you do put in a heater and let it warm up and do a water change about 30 to50% but if you don't have prepared water wait till tomorrow and then do the water change. that way you have time to prepare the water for them.
Don't add any meds into the tank only use the declor in the water you are going to prepare.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks will start preparing water!

 

Avalon how long has this tank been running for?

 

Avalon - if memory serves this is your tank that has a high fish stock count with no plants in it. You might find that you need to either rethink fish density and filtration / maintenance in the tank or figure a way to start removing the nitrate and phosphate etc from the water column. Adding loads of plants with good lighting will help. Adding a sump might be an option or even an algae screen has real potential.

I you do not know what an algae screen is google Turf algae filter or algae scrubber.

 

+1

do as big of a water change as you can, also do a few over a few days, this generally sorts out most things.

 

Do you have any activated charcoal you can run through the filter just to help clear out some meds or any other thing that might be hiding.

 

Veegal the tank has been running for almost 3 weeks now. f-fish will start looking into the Turf algae filter or buy some plants but maybe i should test the Turf algae filter does anybody here have such a tank? Vis both of my filters have activated charcoal in. The main reason why I cleaned my tank and lost all my plants where due to the golden apple Snails I had.

 

Avalon has the tank finished its cycle yet? If its only been running for 3 weeks that may be the problem.

 

Hi Avalone if memory serfs me right foam is a sign that some sort of protein is in the water(or soap)
Do a water change and stop or reduce feeding for the time being.
The cleaning of the filter(should only be rinsed out in tank water) might be a factor. But I fear that you over-stocked your tank after to short a cycle time.
I would advise shorter water change intervals and as little food as possible until you improved filter capacity!

 

Okay this explains quite a bit. Your tank had only been running for a short period, 3 weeks, you overstocked it too quickly and then did a filter media change. This would have caused your tank to go into overdrive and the foam is most likely caused through incorrect water parameters along with the excess of organic waste.

Do a 40% water change, be sure to use a dechlorinator especially if you are in the Jo'burg area, and monitor your water parameters. I would suggest doing a 20-25% water change every fourth day until the water parameters improve. DO NOT change the filter media until your tank has completely cycled and do not add more fish. As guido said, also reduce your feeding dramatically. Either feed much less or only feed a little every second day - don't worry your fish won't starve

Good luck and please keep us informed.

 

any labyrinth fish in the tank?

 

Ok, cool I understand what might have gone wrong, but how do I know if my tank has finished his cycle. Remember I have 2x 2000 liter per hour filters, so my tank pump 4000 liters per hour (don't know how accurate this is)I have only cleaned the one filter the other where left inside. I did this because I where thinking that if one filter is washed the other will keep the bio system and might reduce water changes (But I might have to read some more about the cycle as I think I misunderstood it). But what's the advantages/disadvantages of the two filters?