Tank FOAMING at the sump!

Researching looks like I may have an excess of organic STUFF going on. Most readings I am finding point toward saltwater set ups but I guess its near the same concept. I haven't found much reading that was helpful. One thing I have done different recently is started injecting amendments into the substrate. Nothing fancy just the stuff you see others using when setting up dirted set ups; iron , pot ash, ect.. + micro nutrients.

Anyone else ever had foaming going on anywhere within a freshwater (planted) set up? Any input appreciated.

Lets see a picture. Usually foam is ammonia or protein film. But almost always ammonia in my experience.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:Lets see a picture. Usually foam is ammonia or protein film. But almost always ammonia in my experience.

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Checking ammonia now...

I doubt ammonia is doing that. My guess seeing the picture is something is in the water. Like malafix/pima fix. Perhaps a residue from a new component. Did you install a new dosing pump or anything recently?

The only thing new I stated in 1st post. This was about a week ago. I started injecting dry micro nutrients , and a powder iron/potash additive. It's the stuff people put under their substrates when setting up planted tanks. That's the only thing new. I haven't done the whole tank yet. Just testing in a couple spots.

Ammonia levels 0

Only foam in the sump, none on top of the display tank's water?

I do have 4 plant pots in the last compartment. It's rock wool substrate. Just remembered those are about 7-8 days new.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:Only foam in the sump, none on top of the display tank's water?

No where else. Just those spots pictured. None in the last compartment either...

This part of the sump is always covered by 2-3 towels draped over it too....

The white line you see going into the sump is my water line for water changes and top off. Pure H2O.

maybe take a glass of tank water and put an airstone in it and see if it starts to foam?

5 minutes, no foam - not even a trace. It did seem compared to tap water the tank water was able to make larger bubbles. So perhaps an excess of organic matter decomposing is causing water to have thick surface skin? IDK... I can say there is an abundance of decomposing organic matter thought out the system.

can you see an oil slick on the surface of the water? typically from organics building up you get a protein film on the top of the water.

Yes. I have been noticing this in the 3rd compartment in my sump. The tank has quite a bit of surface movement so nothing is really able to accumulate there.

I'd say it's an organics buildup then. Water changes should fix it. in theory.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:I'd say it's an organics buildup then. Water changes should fix it. in theory.

  - Changing the water is how I noticed the foam build up. Ill conduct some small ones throughout the week and start a regular regimen cleaning media. I've been slacking on this and I bet since this tank has been completely full of plants for the last 6 months my sump has got a lot of decaying organic waste in it...