Bubbles not popping as well at top of tank

I have a 5.5 with ember tetras and an amano shrimp. The tank was barebottom until about a week ago when I added some Petco river rock like gravel/pebbles. I messed up when I put in the gravel by dumping it out of the container I had "rinsed it in" (I treated it and the tank with prime just before that). Long story short all the "dust" your suppose to rinse off was not in my tank. Also during this process I dumped the gravel on top of my airstone (which was not running). I then got my gravel the way I wanted it and started to add water. Once I got water back up to an adequate level I plugged the "tank in" (everything goes through a wall tap and is easier to just unplug the whole tap than each component). This is when I realized my airstone was under the gravel, and promptly moved it back above to it current position (which is with the bottom "corner" touching the gravel.

Ever since then (until now but ill explain) the bubbles gathered on the surface then popped. The last time this happened it was with my 2.5g which was not cycled. I just checked with apI master and it was 0,0,trace/5 ppm (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). The cycle hasn't died, and I have live plants growing somewhat quickly. After the testing I topped off with extra water from the last WC (occurred Saturday I think (for sure last weekend)). The bubbles right now are popping like they used to (pre gravel), however if there was a film on the surface the adding of the water broke it up.

QUESTION: What could be the cause of the bubbles gathering on the surface?

Summation

• Bubbles not popping and gathering at surface in cycled 5.5g with some plants
• Only occurred after gravel was added
• Tank coming off diatom problem, some plant leaves need to be pruned

 

Does the film look shiny? Could be a build up of protein, can be caused by dying leaves, rotting food or waste, that causes the film and the bubbles get trapped under the film and don't pop.

Could also be caused by contaminants that have built up on the surface.

 

There are dying leaves and I'm going to take care of those this weekend. It doesn't look like there is a film at all. It's starting to go back to normal today though which is good

 

Tetras need a bigger tank!

 

Normally yes, although ember tetras are really small (less than an inch), a 5.5 is fine for my group of 5. I could add another but that would put my stocking at 100%. Granted the general rule that a bigger tank is better applies but I'm not in a position to ugrade.

 

Normally yes, although ember tetras are really small (less than an inch), a 5.5 is fine for my group of 5. I could add another but that would put my stocking at 100%. Granted the general rule that a bigger tank is better applies but I'm not in a position to ugrade.

Oops! Ok. I understand

 

Its fine your not the first nor will you be the last who will ever say that.