Foam in skimmer

[joesandy1822]

We've had a lot of rain and wind lately. I've had to clean my skimmer a lot because of the neighbor's elm tree shedding tons of leaves. I've noticed that several times, the skimmer was full of foam. It was a brownish color. I'm wondering what it might have been. I have used NO chemicals or additives in my pond at all except for the initial dechlorinator a month or so ago. It is newly cycled, and last week was the first time I could finally see the bottom after the initial algae bloom. In also noticed that where the waterfall splashed, it would make a certain amount of bubbles. Nothing major, but there are some bubbles that would end up popping on the surface. My pond also went cloudy again after all the rain. I don't think there is much run off except for maybe a little sand. Wondering if the leaves could cause the cloudiness and foaminess, or if it is something else carried in by the wind. Or if maybe my fish could be spawning already? They're young fish, but I think the Shubunkins are over a year old. When fish spawn, is there foam? It was only in the skimmer though.

Just trying to get a grip on what causes the foam and cloudiness after a lot of rain. I'll hopefully do my water test today and get some base numbers. I got my Kh and Gh test kit Friday. Returned the Phosphate one when I read they are not accurate. Maybe I should have kept it.

Thanks,
Sandy

 

[richyd]

The foam is most likely caused by Dissolved Organic compounds. Basically dissolved food in the water. I get the same in my skimmer. Nothing to worry about.
There are devices to get rid of this stuff. I recently built this, another guys design but it removes the DOCS from the water, and puts out mucky foam which is the DOCS.
Very cheap to build

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/topic/12062-protein-skimmer/

 

[joesandy1822]

The foam is most likely caused by Dissolved Organic compounds. Basically dissolved food in the water. I get the same in my skimmer. Nothing to worry about.
There are devices to get rid of this stuff. I recently built this, another guys design but it removes the DOCS from the water, and puts out mucky foam which is the DOCS.
Very cheap to build

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/topic/12062-protein-skimmer/

Thanks! I have never fed my fish (yet), so it can't be fish food. Maybe there is some plant material or small tree leaves that are decomposing between some rocks? I only have rocks on the first ledge of the pond. None lining the sides or the bottom. I wish I would have scooped the foam out of the skimmer. I just left it. Duh!

If it continues, I'll have to consider doing something. For now, I'll leave it alone.

Thanks again.

Sandy