Bubbles on heater and sporadically in tank.

[Jusnkay]

Hi there! I noticed silver looking bubbles on our heater today. We have a 40 gallon saltwater reef with live rock, coral, mushrooms, pylops, two clowns, one six line wrasse, one coral beauty, one skunk cleaner shrimp, and a variety of snails and crabs. I notice sone of these small bubbles on the back wall of the tank and on a few of the live rock. This tank was previously up and running for four years by a different owner. We transported (used the same water) about 6 weeks ago. Everything has been going well with the exception of a dip in ph which we regulated with 8.4. Any idea on what these bubbles are?
Thanks!
Kristen

 

[MarsRover]

Could be algae respiration yielding O2 and sticking with it. Could just be micro bubbles in the water coalescing on algae peach fuzz. I mean it really could be anything.

Is there a reason why you’re concerned?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Micro bubbles will stick to glass really well and grow larger as they accumulate. They can come from filtration or fish splashing/making bubbles. Some heaters also get super hot on the surface and there may be a bit of phase change to gas in the water around them, resulting in gas bubbles on the heater itself.

 

[Jusnkay]

Could be algae respiration yielding O2 and sticking with it. Could just be micro bubbles in the water coalescing on algae peach fuzz. I mean it really could be anything.

Is there a reason why you’re concerned?

Thanks for your response!

Just thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone had any insight to what they are or what they could be stemming from. When I googled it a variety of things popped up. Not really concerned, just noticed it was a change. We’re new to saltwater/reef tanks and appreciate the info and advice everyone has given!

 

[MarsRover]

Yeah depending on what type of heater and the type of flow you have going over it, I agree with @nautical_nathaniel on the possible phase change of the water on the surface of the heater.

Regardless I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Pretty normal to have bubbles

Welcome to the salt world!!! Things only get weirder