Gravel foaming like soap when washed.

Hi, I’m a newbie here, and this is my first post.
I’ve started fish keeping about six months ago and just upgraded my tank from a 30l to a fluval Spec 60l.

I’ve not had much luck with the gravel in my new set up.
In my 30l I used a pale coarse sand substrate and never had problems with cloudy water or needed to wash the sand loads.

In This new tank I opted for a black look, black gravel with plants and wood.
However, I started to wash The Hugo Kamishi black gravel in small batches. In a clean bucket ( which I only use for my tank maintenance) It was foaming! Like sea water foam on the beach. The more I agitated it, the more it foamed. I bought two bags and both bags were the same. I rang the pet shop ( who are really good for advice etc) and they said it was just the air bubbles. I knew there was something odd going on, but persevered and washed as much as I could then added it to the tank.
I set it all up, plants wood etc and set the filter running. The water clouded over the next day, and even as I poured the water into the tank the foamy bubbles appeared again as the water hit the gravel.

I had the tank running a couple of days as I couldn’t deal with it sooner. However, tonight I emptied as much water as possible ( there was probably less than a cm in the bottom) I scooped out nearly all the gravel ( there was just a scattering on the bottom). I’ve rinsed and rinsed the gravel again for hours until the foam disappeared completely. I couldn’t manage to get the tank in the bath to rinse and turn right over. I was a bit worried about damaging/ knocking it if I did this on my own. ( I’m a 5ft2 female - with bad back!)

What do you think this foam was? Could it have been a faulty batch? Do you think the water I have just added is safe for fish and is there a way I can check that it is before transferring my fish over from the smaller 30litre? ( I plan to cycle it first, either with fish or fishless)

I’ve read previous threads about detergents in tanks and it sounds Horrendous.

Should I take my wood out and replace? Or boil?

Any advice is much appreciated. And sorry for so many questions! I just don’t want to put any fish in there if it’s going to harm or kill them.

 

Boiling it wouldn't be a bad precaution, if nothing else for peace of mind. They do make black sand, if the black gravel doesn't work out. I have never seen gravel foam, just air bubbles like they said, cuz air has to go somewhere even when the water is just running through.

 

Thanks Betta Anonymous. I wanted to believe it was just air too. but this was just too much - it was like a bubble bath!
However, after lots of rinsing, the bubbles have thankfully disappeared, so it had to be some sort of chemical/ detergent I think.

If I take out the wood to boil, I think I should do a full water change again. In case the detergent has seeped out from the soaked wood. Do you agree?

 

Thanks Betta Anonymous. I wanted to believe it was just air too. but this was just too much - it was like a bubble bath!
However, after lots of rinsing, the bubbles have thankfully disappeared, so it had to be some sort of chemical/ detergent I think.

Is it worth boiling the wood too? As that will have soaked in the soapy water for a couple of days.

Definitely.

 

Hmm seems sketch...I wouldn't use that gravel tbh

 

Hmm seems sketch...I wouldn't use that gravel tbh

I don’t feel comfortable with it either tbh. How do I make sure whatever chemical was there is not in my tank? I can take it all out, try get the whole tank in the bath and rinse,

Would you boil the wood or replace?
Do I need to replace the filter media and everything?

This is going to be expensive! As I’ve just bought everything.

 

That’s so suspicious. Definitely not normal. I think your best bet would be to rinse everything throughly until there’s no more bubbles, then give it a few more rinses just to be safe. Let your tank sit without livestock for a while to see if anything acts up.

 

I don’t feel comfortable with it either tbh. How do I make sure whatever chemical was there is not in my tank? I can take it all out, try get the whole tank in the bath and rinse,

Would you boil the wood or replace?
Do I need to replace the filter media and everything?

This is going to be expensive! As I’ve just bought everything.

Uhhhh I have no guarantees because I don't what chemical is in it. I would just rinse everything and let it dry in the sun for a few days

 

So, update... I Emptied the tank again so I could replace with fresh water and boil the wood. While swishing the water out of the bucket down the sink it was frothing again.
I’ve decided to throw away the gravel and get something else. I just don’t trust it.
I carried the empty tank to the bathroom to rinse but it had a little knock. Nothing major, but will this damage the seals? Or the tank? The glass isn’t cracked or anything.
Tbh, I’m terrified of hearing about exploding tanks. Which is why I ask. It happened to my brother, who was ankle deep in water in his garage in the pitch black ( after the electrics blew)!
I do suffer from anxiety so to worry!
I’ve just had so much bad luck with this tank From wobbly stands to foaming gravel.

 

I'd recommend using Pettex Black Roman Gravel. I've had it since May 2008 and have had no issues.

Natural gravel is my favourite.

 

I'd recommend using Pettex Black Roman Gravel. I've had it since May 2008 and have had no issues.

Natural gravel is my favourite.

Thanks, that’s useful to know. PS - I see you’re in Leeds too! ( which is where I am )