Why do I have bubbles foaming over the tank edge?

Question

This is a new 10 gallon tank, just started 3 days ago. It has one 7 inch bubble wall, and a Topfin carbon filter system. The water has had the proper de-chlorinators added to it, and I have 9 fish, tetras and two catfish. I came home this evening to see foam going over the edge of the tank. Only when I remove the tank lid do they go away...any suggestions?

Allow me to rephrase:

I have seven neon tetras, and two tiny catfish, that does not make 11 fish, number one.

Number two: Stress zyme was already added before the fish were put in, and cycled. Decholrinator was added and cycled before any fish were added.

Now, cycling the water, to me, doesn't seem like it would cause the bubbles to go away, so, what now?

Answer 1

You have too many fish.
Take 6 of them back to the petstore and try to get your money back.

Answer 2

You do have too many fish to cycle the tank, but that shouldn't cause foam. Did you give the tank a good cleaning (without soap,of course). Taking the catfish back to the pet store is a good idea,cycling a tank is pretty hard on most species of cats. If you went to a big box type of store then good luck. Also you probably won't get your money back but if it's a fish-friendly store they may hold them for you until the tank cycles.This could take 5 to 6 weeks. As to the foam, do a 10% water change every day until it stops. Larger water changes might shock the fish,and their probably not having too much fun anyway. Hop this helps. Good luck.-------PeeTee

Answer 3

ok nobody told you about cycling your tank -- there is still hope. you can buy it at the store.

your water is having a big huge bacteria party right now. you have to end it asap or your fish will die from the ammonia in the water. pet stores usually don't warn you about this because they like repeat customers.

you are going to go to the store and buy 4 things --

a benificial bacteria in a bottle -- some name brands are stress zyme and cycle.

you are going to buy antibacterial wash for your fish and your tank -- it is tea tree oil and the only brand i know of is melafix or bettafix which is 12 times as expensive.

a 2 1/2 gallon bucket. why? 2 1/2 is 1/4 of 10 -- so you can do this easier.

a gravel vacuum.

when you get home from the store drain about 75% of the water into the bucket with your gravel vacuum -- thats 3 buckets. easy huh?

ok now get your bucket full of water and put your meds in -- usually you should be able to do this by 1/4 teaspoons in 2 1/2 gallons -- im such a genius -- thats 1/4 teaspoon of declorinator, 1/2 teaspoon of stress zyme if thats what you are using and 1/4 teaspoon melafix per bucket.

now slowly add this about 1/2 gallon at a time so you don't stress out your already stressed out fish. repeat until your tank is full of water again.

hopefully this will help. if it doesn't you have a date for next saturday night.

you should get in the habit of gravel vacuums and changing 25% of the water weekly. it only takes about 15 minutes if you include wiping down the insides of the tank (a paper towel will work fine)and washing off all your plants and decorations.

Answer 4

You should not have put that many fish in a brand new tank-- and you should definitely NOT have any cat fish! Your tank has to "cycle" through first and you have over-loaded the tank. Catfish and other bottom dwellers are among the more sensitive to the unstable nature of a new tank.

Bubbles are usually the result of proteins (usually organic) "foaming" up in the tank- your bubble wall may agitate the water enough for the protein-foam to surface.

Answer 5

Dude, you have way too many fish, and you are going to lose them ALL before that tank even begins to cycle. You are going to have such an ammonia spike followed by an incredible amount of fish loss. Who told you to put eleven fish in a ten gallon that has not even cycled yet?

Answer 6

Sounds like they had a beer party while you were at work.

Answer 7

may be caus you have a leak or some thing