Persistent foamy bubbles in newly cycled tank sump

mandarin417 · Aug 14, 2015

On day 14 on a combo of Dr. Tim’s and aquavitro (seachem) Seed bacteria addition. Ammonia and Nitrites finally cycling down to zero within 24 hours after dosing with ammonium chloride. Started growing algae on rocks and glass so nitrates must be up. Haven’t measured while waiting for nitrites to drop and will do a partial water change tonight.

Display tank is around 120 gallons with a 24x24x19 inch marineland rimless tank as the sump. No baffles with a return pump and Lifereef skimmer. I don’t get any microbubbles from the skimmer into the display tank and I believe I have the skimmer tuned well enough to pull proteins out. Salt mixes used during the cycle are regular IO and Reef Crystals.

I have been seeing persistent clumps of med sized (dirty) foamy bubbles sitting on the surface of the sump water. My thought is that there are proteins but the skimmer is pulling well. Any idea why I am seeing this? I guess it could also be residual garbage from my sandbed which I did rinse well but was moved a bit when I started up my Ecotechs.

TheEngineer · Aug 14, 2015

Congrats on the new tank. I have a few thoughts...

First, running a skimmer while you are cycling sort of defeats the purpose of the cycle. You're trying to build up the bacteria levels in the tank. By taking food away from them with your skimmer, you are reducing the size of the colony you'll build and how quickly. So, I'd suggest you turn it off.

Second, it sounds like you're trying to rush your cycle a bit. This is a personal preference, I suppose, but I wouldn't be dosing ammonium chloride personally. The seed bacteria I'm not convinced works, but it can't hurt.

As to the dirty bubbles you're seeing... how well did you rinse everything (rocks, sand, etc.) before you put it in the tank? Try running a filter sock to pick up some of the larger suspended impurities and my guess is they will go away. The bubbles in the sump are making a very inefficient skimmer essentially and you're seeing the stuff it is kicking up.

mandarin417 · Aug 14, 2015

Thanks icecool2 for the advice.

I was following Dr. Tim’s program and he recommended keeping the skimmer off for a day or two which I did. I did augment the bottled bacteria with a small piece of rock from another reefer’s established tank.

I did extensive rinsing of the sand until the rinse water was fairly clear.

I could use a recommendation on how to add filter socks to an open sump plan like I have now.

jeffp1 · Aug 14, 2015

You can buy filter sock holders that hang on the side of your sump. I think I paid around $20.00 for mine on E-bay.

mandarin417 · Aug 14, 2015

Thanks for the information jeffp1.

I have seen different options for the add-on filter sock holders but have not seen them in action. I ideally I would like the hard piping from my return to flow into a filter sock without a lot of splashing. Right now my return lines are below the water level in the sump.

The nice thing about the sumps (and I have one but not using it right now) with bubble columns overflow to filter socks is you can change the socks without messing around with any of the return lines. I think the disadvantage is that the overflow from the column to the socks is the trickle noise.

Guess I need to hunt around see what my options are for an add-on sock hold that lets me keep my hard piping below the water level in the sump but still remove the socks easily.