[jrs1]

Anybody have any ideas on this? I have white foam at the surface of my tank. It looks kind of like soap (it's not soap). It just started foaming the last week or so. I did a water change 2 days ago and it was fine for a day then foamed up again.

 

[Sheppard]

hmmm.....you may have used too much water conditioner during a water change
no problem though...just do another one and it should get rid of it

 

[Guest]

It could be proteins, fats and oils in the water. Because of the bipolar nature of these molecules (attracted to both water and air), the materials tend to congregate at the air-water interface.

I guess the agitation of the water has churned the chemicals into a semi-emulsified state, forming the foam.

It looks like soap because the surfactants used to make soap are also bipolar molecules.

 

[jrs1]

Yup....thanks guys. Both of your ideas make sense to me. I was hoping it wasn't anything to worry about. I appreciate your input......

 

[WorldBelow07]

looks like beer mmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[jrs1]

Yeah but I cleaned it since new years......

 

[rchan11]

looks like beer mmmmmmmmmmmmm

[snapback]827476[/snapback]​

Brewing beer in fish tank? Hmmmmmm
Not a bad idea!

 

[T'S DENTICULATUS]

This may not be the case but sometimes when you get foam at the top of the water it can be caused my elevated levels of amonia. Also if it is fat and oil that too could also cause your levels of ammonia to rise. Like I said prob not it but something you might want to test for.