slime and bubbles

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I've had my tank(20 gal.) for several years now and have just now come up with a different water problem. There is some kind of film and NUMEROUS bubbles on the surface. Two of my neons had some white spots on them that looked like flaking scales or something. I thought maybe ICK but I'm not sure. Unfortunately, I was not able to get to town to buy some ick clear in time. We had a snow storm. They only showd up with it on Thursday and by the time I got home with the "ick clear" on Saturday they had already died. Now I'm seriously worried about the film and bubbles, as I think it has a direct connection with the loss of the neons. I just added some neons but one of the ones that died was an older one I already had. The only other recent additions to the tank are a betta and a pleco. I change 25% of the water each week. My community consists of 6 glo fish, 2 green tiger barbs, 2 fruit tetras, 3 neons, 1 pleco, 1 betta, and 1 ghost shrimp. A constant temperature is maintained. Also, I've put a little salt in on the last water change of about 50%. That was about 1 month ago. My set up is a 20 gallon tank with an under gravel filter. I don't remember the size of the pump, but it has always seemed to do a good job of keeping the water clear. Even now, the water is clear. I do have some algae. Not too bad, though. Hope you have some ideas for me and Thank you, in advance.

ANSWER: Hi Lori

I don't need my Crystal Ball here to see many problems. I'll detail them for you and what to do to correct them.

The film you are referring to is a protein layer which occurs in tanks that have little or no surface agitation. You can correct this by adding a power filter, explained below.

The bubbles are oxygen bubbles from the Betta, they tend to cause air bubbles on top of the water when they go for air....Betta get their oxygen from the air, not the water. I occasionally see air bubbles on top of my tanks with Bettas and I just do a water change to get rid of them. Your Betta needs to come out of this tank and put in another tank, I'll explain why in a moment.

Next, shrimp, snails and other such crustacean creatures do not belong in an aquarium with tropical fish. This is really a matter of opinion, I know many people do it. But not surprisingly, over half of the questions I get regarding water problems and fish dying are from people who have snails and/or shrimp in their tanks. Also, should you need to treat your tank with any type of fish meds, you would have to remove the shrimp as most of these meds contain copper which is toxic to invertebrates.

Next, I hope the salt you used was aquarium salt and not table salt. You didn't specify so I wanted to point this out. And you should use 1tbsp of Aquarium Salt per 5 gallons of water.

Next, in all of my aquariums I run undergravel filters and external power filters. In a 20 gallon, I use a Penguin Bio Wheel 150 which is designed for up to 30 gallon tanks and very inexpensive (about $35 or less) You can use a smaller model, the Bio Wheel 100 which is for 20 gallon tanks. I always use the next size up from what my aquarium requires. The return flow from the power filter will prevent the protein layer from forming. Also on your undergravel filter, you need to change the carbon cartridges every 2 weeks or at least once a month. And if you add a power filter, you will need to change the filter cartridge in it every 2 weeks. Undergravel filters are an excellent supplement to power filters, but should not be the primary filter. Especially with as many fish as you have.

Next, every week you should be cleaning your aquarium. The 25% weekly water change you are doing is very good. But with all water changes, you should make sure you vacuum the gravel thoroughly, covering all areas of the tank. Many people think that undergravel filters will remove all of the fish waste and excess food particles from the gravel, they won't. Use an aquarium scrubber to clean the inside of the glass which will remove algae on the glass. Clean decorations with a brush or aquarium scrubber using the water that you siphoned out, not tap water. Cutting back the aquarium lights to 10 - 12 hours a day will also reduce the algae.

Finally, we have a fish compatibility problem here. The Betta will and probably did attack the Neons. The Tiger Barbs will nip the Bettas fins. Bettas can live with other fish, but need to be the "star" of the tank. When considering tankmates for a Betta, avoid bright colors like Neons etc, and avoid fancy fins like Angels and Guppies. Also avoid aggressive fin nippers like Barbs and most Tetras. I have a Betta in a 20 gallon with 4 Black Mollies, a Dwarf Gourami and 3 Cory Cats and it's a peaceful community.

I would put your Betta in a smaller tank (5 gallon minimal) by himself, or in another tank with tankmates as outlined above. In any event, he needs to come out of the tank he is in asap.

Hope this has helped you, good luck!

Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Richard. Thanks for your quick response. My betta is VERY peaceful and there is never any bickering. I will be watching very closely as I have been. I had a betta before that never bothered any of the other fish. I know this is rare. If I see any aggression on his part or the barbs' part, I will have to remove him. The neons I lost looked to be more sick than injured.  I will follow your advice on the power filter. I am curious what the problem is with the shrimp and snails. I only have one shrimp to help clean up the bottom, but somehow I wound up with a "bloom" of snails. They must have come in on some plants I bought. Is there any way to get rid of them? I will dismantle the tank completely and scrub it down. One more quick question. Sometimes it takes about half the water level in order to thoroughly vacuum all the gravel. Is this a danger to the water condition?  Thanks again for all your help.
Lori

Answer
Hi Lori

Yes, keep an eye on the Betta. I had one attack a Harlequin Rasbora once which isn't a bright colored fish. Luckily I got him out in time and the Rasbora was ok. Other than that, I don't know what it was with the Neons, a bacteria infection, something in the water etc.
I also just noticed I didn't to clarify the bubbles. The Betta takes the oxygen from the air, it is passed into his labyrinth organ and the carbon dioxide is extracted which causes the bubbles.

Shrimp do a good job of cleaning up, and this is only a matter of opinion, but I don't recommend them in tanks with fish. He won't harm your fish, but the Betta might pick on him. I feed live shrimp to my Bettas and most of my other fish. The copper contained in most meds and chemicals for aquariums will kill shrimp and snails, so I always say it isn't best to keep them in the same tank.

Snails usually come in with live plants. You have to buy the plants that are packaged and say "guaranteed snail free" I get these at Petsmart. Adding a small Clown Loach to the tank will take care of the snails. Clown Loaches eat snails. Keep in mind that Clown Loaches grow large, so if you get one, you may consider a larger tank down the road. But they will wipe out snails in a hurry.

Don't dismantle the tank and scrub it down..this will kill the bacteria in the tank and it will start the cycle process all over again. Adding the power filter will help the water condition. It may appear clear, but with little or no agitation, it is stagnant. You could do another 30% water change and add some Quick Cure to the tank. I think, read the label to be sure, but I think Quick Cure is safe for shrimp. I don't have any here or I would look.

I know how easy it is to take out 50% of the water and sometimes more, but it is more important to clean the gravel. Just this morning I was cleaning my 90 gallon and before I knew it, there was 8 inches of water in the tank. Luckily I have water contained in a tank in my laundry room so adding new water is easy other than the hose being dragged all over the house. But removing 50% or even 70% of the water will not cause your fish any trouble as long as the new water is the same temperature by touch and is treated with a conditioner like StressCoat or AquaSafe.

You're very welcome and I am happy to provide any assistance I can.

Richard