Bubbles in my new water feature.

RecycledAgain · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 09:04 PM

I have bubbles building on the back of my water feature. It definitely isn't normal water bubbles it has mass.
The tank does have cypress wood on the background and uses cupped cypress for the water transfer. I built this 29 Gal tank , using Gs (Red can) and silicone GE 1 . Any ideas?

As I try and fight the build up with water changes, I notice that the bubbles get worse as the water darkens (tannin stained I assume) , will tannin stained water cause foam ?

Dan

beckdg · #2 (**permalink**) 01-16-2009, 11:13 PM

should have boiled the wood first. you will just have to wait it out now. don't really think it's tannins as tannins soften water. probably something else in wood. if you can, raise water temps as much as possible to speed up leaching.

RecycledAgain · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Still have bubbles, I have been doing water changes every day.
Last night I used very warm water and it looked like a science experiment in the morning. I'm starting to grow concerned.
Dan

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 04:25 AM

wood can be very hard to leach. i have read about people leaching theirs for up to a month. unfortunately i think this is the good news. if the color of your water does not resemble tea that would be a good clue it's not your wood.

honestly, here comes the bad news, i think your water might be exposed to your gs somewhere. i think this is where your bubbles are coming from. your best bet might be to seal it wherever the water is getting in. it's a shame, but you may have to rebuild and cover your gs more thoroughly.

edit: warm water still might help and putting it directly in sunlight (in a window) might create bacterial growth (good thing). if you can sustain bacterial growth you may be ok... i wouldn't trust it though, especially if gs is your culprit.

froggsong · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:02 AM

This is becoming more and more common... I think someone needs to do an experiment. Maybe a couple of us should, actually. Make exactly the same thing with the same type of foam, and see if the same thing happens to both of us. See if it is actually the GS or if we are just blaming it on the foam for lack of a better idea.

Jason · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:07 AM

Ive got a red can of GS and a small section of EC i can spray and dump in a bucket if ya wanna give it a shot, all we need to do if figure out the amount of water to dump it in.

heartagramtc · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:08 AM

id say thats a great idea, i had the same issue in my aunts tank. the only thing new in it was the expanding foam. i say EF because i dont use Great Stuff. i use another brand and i use the black pond specific one.

*edit*
if we did do this we would need pumps. i think it only does it in water feature type enviroment.

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:21 AM

We should test it with each type of GS, including the pond type. I can't afford to do it until I get started on another tank though... Maybe we can set up some parameters and then whoever wants to participate can follow them with however many types of GS they can do, and when everyone is done (in case we can't do it at the same time), we can compile the results.

We would definitely have to have the water agitated somehow, maybe with a bubble stone (it would be more effective, I think).

Four buckets, one with just water and a bubble stone (to be sure there isn't something in the water making it foam), one with uncovered GS and a bubble stone, one with partially covered GS and a bubble stone, and one with completely covered GS and (you guess it!) a bubble stone. If the two with exposed GS foam and the others don't we'll know it was the GS. If the two with silicone on them foam, we'll know it is the silicone.

Buckets should all be the same size, with the same amount of water inside. The bubble stones should all be the same size and run by separate pumps of the same size (each type could be done separately, one at a time, if there is an issue with having enough air pumps). The water should come from the same source for all buckets (if each sample is done separately, enough water should be set aside the first day so that it is the same water for each experiment). The eggcrate that the GS is sprayed on should be the same dimensions, and the GS should be as close in size as is possible. The time elapsed before foam starts should be recorded.

This experiment will likely lead to more so that we can figure out how to fix this problem, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

heartagramtc · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 06:36 AM

lol hmmm i have about 6 small buckets out side my door, an air pump sitting under my beardies tank, and brand new air stones with tubing next to that! egg crate next to my 40 gal, and the foam right upstairs. and i dont work tomorrow. guess what ima try! lol

froggsong · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 07:03 AM

I'd say do the eggcrate 6 squares by 6 squares (maybe 8x8? what do you think?). For the one that is partially covered with silicone, cover the entire front, but not the back side where the GS expands through the boxes of the eggcrate.

Please look at this as a scientific experiment and record as much as possible. You are the first to start, so you will set the precedent for the experiment. How long do you think you should let it run? A few hours, or a couple of days? Anyone have any ideas?