huge bubble build up 20-40 minutes after feeding

[Third Coast]

I have a 20 gallon "native critter" saltwater aquarium. Everything that's in it.... fish, oyster shells, or other creatures are things my kids and I have come across. mud minnows, croaker, pin perch, hermit crabs, sea lice, shrimp, etc. basically, it's an indoor bait tank.

I feed regular frozen shrimp that I grate on a cheese grater. (don't tell the wife). for whatever reason, in the last week, about 30 minutes after I feed, bubbles are starting to form on the surface. Not just regular aeration bubbles... more like a bubble bath. They actually build to the point they climb and spill over the tank. several inches high. They will go away after a few hours, but I'm just wondering what the deal is. I usually feed one large shrimp, and it's consumed in probably 45 seconds. I don't think I'm feeding too much.

any ideas? also, This isn't an expensive set up. I have a tetra 60 air pump, and a tetra 70 filter pump. I usually change out 4 or 5 gallons of water every other week or so. I know I have a lot of fish for the tank size, maybe that's part of the issue also.

thanks!

 

[Third Coast]

https://vimeo.com/173813717

 

[mcgyvr]

ever tested the water?
results? nitrates/phosphates?

bubbles is probably just a build up of proteins/organics and your air bubbles (I assume thats what the tetra air pump is doing) is just acting like a skimmer trying to take the crap out..

sounds like you may be overfeeding/too much in the tank and just not maintaining it like a proper saltwater setup needs.. saltwater isn't as easy as freshwater.. It requires proper equipment, maintenance, and frequent testing to ensure parameters are staying stable..

you probably just have a "dirty" tank now and the water changes alone are not sufficient.. I'd guess very high nitrate levels too, probably high phosphates and probably algae growth..

 

[OrQidz]

Any chance there is dish detergent on the grater? (like maybe your wife is washing it extra good because it keeps smelling fishy for some reason)

 

[Third Coast]

Ha! No, I'm pretty sure the grater is clean. It's just weird. The tank starts foaming like crazy after I feed, then goes away in about 3 hours. I might get a water test kit and see. I didn't really want to spend a ton of.money. might just release half the fish that are in it and see if that helps.

 

[SeattleReefer]

congratulations, you just built your first diy protein skimmer.

 

[OrQidz]

LOL well I won't tell your wife where that grater has been! I think you may just have a ton of nutrients in that tank. There are a lot of fish in there! Decreasing the bioload may help. If you don't want to spend a ton of money on test kits, the LFS should be willing to test a sample for you.