Bubble algae advice

[ScubaNemo]

Hey guys, I started seeing little bubbles stuck to the rocks, I thought they were just regular air bubbles but I literally had to scrape them to get them off the rocks, so I figured they might be bubble algae.

The tank is about 4 months old mixed reef. I recently had a hitchhiker gift with purchase little emerald crab, I heard they eat the bubble algae, this guy is kinda lazy and stays almost on just one rock where he lives.

Do I add more emerald crabs? Any other suggestions to get this in check before it gets out of control?

Thanks!

 

[Reel North]

Use rigid airline and attach it to some airline tube. Use the rigid to dislodge and suck it up. That stuff spreads its a mess. Don't. Pop. It.

 

[ScubaNemo]

Oops, I think I might have popped a couple, they were pretty hard but weren't green yet.

 

[IowaReefer]

Bubble algae is extremely nutrient dependent. Reduce nutrients (N, P) in your tank and you should be fine. Some emerald crabs eat the baby bubbles, but I have never seen one tackle a larger one.

 

[JammyBirch]

yes bubble algae is a mess, i am dealing with it right now. I think you need to confirm that you have it before you add any crabs...they can be a pain in the pills.

As far as "don't pop them" ya good luck...they are best to get manually when they are small, they're harder and less likely to rupture. The problem is the location they end up in is sometimes hard to get at or hard to remove them without popping.

I basically have a bubble algae day every month to get them out, it sucks...

 

[borderreef]

I don't know how to post links, but use the search and look up popping valonia bubble algae.

 

[Canneddynomite]

I had a ton of bubble algae pop up all over my tank (45g). I threw three emerald crabs in and within one week I cannot find a single bubble.

 

[ScubaNemo]

Awesome! I like those little guys. I just hope they don't turn into monsters when they get bigger.