Bubbles forming on live rock?

[zenn]

I've been reefing for just over a year now but just recently realized I might have a new problem. I've noticed many air-bubble-like bubbles forming on my Live Rock. They are stuck onto the rocks and walls of the aquarium. I've suspected it's nitrogen gas that's been trapped by some kind of algae, but I'm not sure of course. Can someone help me out on what this is and what to do about it? They bubbles are unsightly and i'd like to get rid of them if possible.

TIA

PS. This is definentally not bubble algae as I know what that looks like. These bubbles appear clear, and the only reason I say i think an algae has trapped the nitrogen is that some of the bubbles appear to be encased in a almost clear mucus and sway in the water current.

 

[ronj]

it sounds like some sort of algae problem...i have seen something similar(i think) what do your water parameters look like??? also, what kind of filtration and flow do you have???

 

[zenn]

i rarely test anymore because I know the most important parameters are in control (ie, SG, NH4, NO3, NO2, temp, PH) because I religiously do bi-weekly water changes. But I don't check for phosphates and I suppose I could have a problem there. Other than these bubbles, I don't have an algae problem.

I use a custom sump with rock rubble, a Aqua C protein skimmer and a fuge with chateo. I also have about 100lbs of LR in the display tank(75g). That's it for filtration. I us RO/DI water for the system. The filter on the RO/DI unit is about a year old...so I guess I should maybe check the water with a TDS meter for PO4.

Lighting can also contribute to algae, but I recently upgraded to MH lighting just a 3 months ago so I should be good there.

Really, the only things I can think of is that 1. I'm not skimming enough or 2. My RO/DI filter needs to be changed or 3. A combination of the two.

Please Help

TIA

 

[ronj]

if the water parameters are good, i guess i would check the filters like you said...i am having to change my first 3 carbon filters in my unit, like every 2 months..they get tons of sediment in them.. they turn really dark within 2-3 weeks!! if your flow is good, that is the only thing i can think of!! is the slime clear or dark??? i had some dark cyano with bubbles in it.. it started covering my sand.. i took the fish out and kept the water really clean for like 4-5 weeks.. it all died off.. i had started slacking on the intervals between water changes!!

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If you pop a bubble, are they filled with fluid or gas? If fluid, then hard to positively rule out bubble algae. I have seen them in awesome tanks. One other question is how is your tank circulation? Dead spots or great flow?

 

[LaloV.]

The max bioload that a normal Remora skimmer handles is 75 gal, maybe if you have a lot of organims in your tank the nutrients could nourish these ugly algae blooms.

Try cleaning the skimmer and test the water that your RO/DI unit delivers.
Could be or cyano or Valonia sp.
Gl

 

[DonW]

Sound like bacterial respiration, No big deal. Start rock blasting!

Don