tiny bubbles

Question
I have tiny clear "bubble" looking clusters on my live rock. could this be some kind of algae? I am new to salt water and just got my tank set up about 3 weeks ago.  

Answer
Hi Sherri,

Welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater aquarium keeping. Glad to have you aboard.

Regarding the tiny bubbles you are seeing collecting on your live rock:

Since your aquarium is only 3 weeks new, it has a long way to go before it fully matures. This leads me to believe the bubbles are probably just Nitrogen gas that is being released from the live rock. If you'd like you can disperse them by applying water flow to them with a powerhead, or by carefully whisking your hand over them.

I always see bunches of air bubbles when I cycle a new tank, and in the tanks maturing process. With time, and after your aquarium fully matures, you'll only seen them every once and a while.

Other occurrences of micro-bubbles could include high phosphate levels, but in your case since your aquarium is so new, I'm willing to bet your micro-bubbles are being created from the maturing of your nitrogen cycle, which includes nitrogen gas being expelled from your live rock.

Best Regards,
Dave

All Experts - Editor

http://www.ocreef.com/safety_devices - Director