Posted by rsaqua on August 11, 2002 at 11:20:59:
In Reply to: Re: I was giving him the benefit of the doubt for knowing the posted by kelly on August 07, 2002 at 09:39:29:
:So what exactly causes the bubbles? Is it just a function of excess ammonia + dirt buildup creating a film on the water surface which traps them? Do surface bubbles just sort of happen as a product of the fish's respiration and does this change when they are under stress? Do they appear with any fish under less than quality conditions?
:(don't misread me, I'm genuinely curious, as I'd like to keep goldies someday, I just know nothing about them, and you seem to know quite a lot)
Hi Kelly,
There are a number of factors that can help "sustain" the cohesiveness of the bubble itself. Some examples were already indicated by Michele. However, the way and reason for the bubble(s) to form is simple pressure differences. That is, a small amount of gas that has been manufactured/contained under pressure
i.e., lets say the fish's body(or could be a filter component also), is then released into an unpressurized aquarium. It will create a tiny bubble. Without getting into hydrodynamics of different sized bubbles (slugs, etc.), the "shells" of these bubbles contain a certain "charge" that attracts and bonds(adsorbs) certain other charged particles(like how a protein skimmer works) thus forming a more sustainable "shell". Because it's molecular structer is lighter(for lack of a better term)it's buoyancy is greater and it floats to the surface where atmospheric pressure is again different. This may or may not cause the little bubble to explode on contact with atmospheric air. Whooooew! I hope I didn't confuse you on this one. Dan can probably explain this better or in more detail. I'll have to find my book on aquaculture engineering, by Wheaten for anymore.
russ
