Bubbles on water surface

[Lauren B.]

I seem to have a lot of bubbles from my airstones that do not dissipate on the water's surface. When I do finally get my fish, I'm afraid this is going to be too much bubbling when it comes to feeding time.

Any suggestions? Should I unplug the airstones when it's feeding time? Is there something I can add to the water to speed up the bubble dissipation?

[Chrona]

Is there a oilish looking film on the top of your tank? That's usually the case when my CO2 bubbles don't pop at the surface.

[Lauren B.]

Is there a oilish looking film on the top of your tank? That's usually the case when my CO2 bubbles don't pop at the surface.

No, not really, at least not that I can tell. Do I have just too many airstones? (I have a larger round stone on one end of the tank and a regular one on the other side). The side of the tank with the larger airstone has the most bubble accumulation.

[Chrona]

Oh, sorry, missed the airstone(s). Yeah, for a 6g tank you really only need one small airstone. You bought a really big air pump too right? Does that have a valve where you can turn down the flow?

[Lauren B.]

Oh, sorry, missed the airstone(s). Yeah, for a 6g tank you really only need one small airstone. You bought a really big air pump too right? Does that have a valve where you can turn down the flow?

So maybe that's my problem then. My air pump was an impulse purchase, so I went with whatever was cheapest. I think it accomodates up to 40 or 60 gallons. Two valves, but no regulators on the pressure. Maybe I'll try connecting the two with a t-connector, that way each stone gets only 50% air pressure from just one valve.

Or, Petco has mini-airstones. I've never seen them in any other store, and they're expensive....$1.99 for two. Maybe I could break out my wallet and try those.

Damn, I thought lots of bubbles would be fun. Pooh.

[Glasstapper]

Maybe you could try putting a floating plant there. All the bubbles could catch in there and you wouldn't see them. There's small plastic ones that have a little suction cup so you could stick it to the side of the tank without having the bubbles push it away.

[Sasquatch]

So maybe that's my problem then. My air pump was an impulse purchase, so I went with whatever was cheapest. I think it accomodates up to 40 or 60 gallons. Two valves, but no regulators on the pressure. Maybe I'll try connecting the two with a t-connector, that way each stone gets only 50% air pressure from just one valve.

Or, Petco has mini-airstones. I've never seen them in any other store, and they're expensive....$1.99 for two. Maybe I could break out my wallet and try those.

Damn, I thought lots of bubbles would be fun. Pooh.

You could get a couple of in-line valves that regulate the flow. I have one and it has a little screw on it to change the airflow. Easy to change the flow and make sure that you don't get too much airflow.

Getting smaller airstones won't really change much. It's the amount of air going through the stone, not the size of the stone that is important.

[Lady Hobbs]

Put your air pump on of those do-hickies that you run the lines to and can turn higher or lower. I need one myself........also have too many bubbles. I don't like the bubbles much but do like the "mist" appearance more.

[kenyth]

What kind of filter are you using? Probably UG, right? For a 6 gallon, I'd get some kind of corner filter to suppliment that. Run most of your air through those. You can run the rest through a bubble wall at the back with an adjustable valve. In a small tank, airation and filtration are even more important.

[gm72]

hobbs, the "doo-hickey" to which you humorously refer is a gang valve. I'm not criticizing, but I'm smiling!