Algae bubbles. What's your cure!

[Rayman380]

Curious on solutions for a algae breakout. I know you can suck them out. Any reef safe live solutions that have worked for anyone?

 

[m-six hundred]

Emerald crabs

 

[zrogst]

Crabs are dicks. I siphon out when I have a bloom, but most important is trying to control the source of nutrients that lead to the bloom in the first place. It's your tanks way of saying "change the gfo," "don't feed so much" or maybe even "this spot next to the picture frame window was a bad idea"

 

[vincent92]

I pick them out trying my hardest to not pop them. Never tried emerald crabs but I've heard they work.. I'd just be worrying they would knock things over irritating them

 

[johanasu]

Emerald crabs

Seconded

 

[tatuaje08]

Emerald crabs and syphon. Don't worry about popping them. Crabs pop them when they eat them, so its not as big of a deal as most people think.

 

[vincent92]

Hm, interesting.. makes sense tho, thx.

 

[Stolireef]

I'm in the minority here but I actually don't mind a small amount (emphasis on small) of bubble algae. It looks cool and, at least in my tanks, has never gotten out of control.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Emerald crabs and syphon. Don't worry about popping them. Crabs pop them when they eat them, so its not as big of a deal as most people think.

+1

I'm in the minority here but I actually don't mind a small amount (emphasis on small) of bubble algae. It looks cool and, at least in my tanks, has never gotten out of control.

I always felt the same way, until one day the bubble algae exploded in my tank. I have learned that Bubble algae needs a very little amount of nutrients to survive, unlike most nuisance algae's. If I were you I would remove the bubble algae before it becomes a nightmare of a problem.

 

[Branden_Pearson]

Gently remove the bubbles without popping them is the best method I've seen the emerald crab will clean up the rest of the small bubbles you miss. Just don't pop them or you will have a giant headache

 

[AZBigJohn]

I had a moderate bubble algae breakout in my 29 gallon tank, and siphoning them out, and an emerald crab has kept it gone ever since. Never had a problem with the crab in the tank since, either.

Sent from my Radar 4G using Board Express

 

[tatuaje08]

Gently remove the bubbles without popping them is the best method I've seen the emerald crab will clean up the rest of the small bubbles you miss. Just don't pop them or you will have a giant headache

Read post #6. Its a myth.

 

[justnmatt79]

So emerald crabs are effective? I've tried manual removal for months now, and I can't get it under control. It seems to be getting worse. I don't have any (detectable) excess nutrients, and feed very sparingly, and do weekly water changes. It is driving me insane. I also have pink cotton candy algae, which combined with bubble algae is my own personal torment.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Emerald crabs are the only way IMO to completely rid your tank of bubble algae.

 

[vincent92]

How many emerald crabs for a 34g... they won't knock over corals and such? Or irritated them?

 

[AZBigJohn]

The recommended stocking is one per 30 gallons. I have two in a 29 gallon, and they eat regular algae, too. No problems with them and my snails or hermits, either..

 

[zrogst]

Until the algae grows in a spot that the crab can't quite reach - and proceeds to use your beautiful new bubble coral as a step-stool.

I've been burned! And stop eating my ochtodes you little green jerk!

 

[m-six hundred]

^LOL small price to pay to keep your tank bubble algae free. Not everyone has a nano. For some people its the easiest and best way to keep their 125+ gallon tank clean.

 

[vincent92]

So emerald crabs are effective? I've tried manual removal for months now, and I can't get it under control. It seems to be getting worse. I don't have any (detectable) excess nutrients, and feed very sparingly, and do weekly water changes. It is driving me insane. I also have pink cotton candy algae, which combined with bubble algae is my own personal torment.

Use distilled water to mix your salt in.. and I'd recommend coral pro salt. Lighting is important too.. what kind of light, salt, and water do you use??

 

[MHG]

Bubble algae or snotty looking algae with bubbles? Bubble algae... who cares.... Emerald crabs ignore them and they are harmless unless blocking flow.... the snotty algae with bubbles in Dino. Not good...