i recently purchased beckett filter replacement pads, it has a foamy layer and a denser scouring pad layer. the pads seem soapy, because when i put it in water, and rinsed them off, bubbles came up, like soap bubbles because they remained on the surface for a while, and they were shiny white.

are these soapy bubbles normal? because im using them in my newly built bio filter, and when the water comes out of the filter, and pours into the pond, it creates some bubbles, which float all arround the pond.[not too much tho]

i dont want some soap residue to inhibit the growth of the bacteria colonies.


..I dont think the soapy concentration is enough to hurt the plants or turtle tho.

I don't have the same set up you do, but, when we replace the filter on our cistern pump, we get lots of sudsy bubbles in our water for the next two days?? I don't think it is harmful, it must be something they put on the filter during processing. Maybe next time rinse it off good first?? I am going to try that too!

I've never used that kind myself but I don't think they would add soap or detergents to pond filter pads. They might have added some other chemicals though (or ones that come off of the material itself). Could the bubbles be from trapped air coming out? Do they go away after a short time or persist for a long time? Fresh activated carbon in the filter will help remove any organics, soaps, etc. if they really are present.

It is just a residue on the pads from being made. Depending on who makes them and what material it is sometimes you will get the bubbles. If you would like to get rid of them right away you can either rinse your pads first or get a chemical called No More Foam from Jungle Labs