Bubble algae cropping up

[Dtking]

STUPID QUESTION: How does bubble algae form? I have had this tank running since may, and I have not had any at all. I do have 2 emerald crabs, and maybe they are getting it before i notice it, but I have never seen any?.?.?.

 

[VCoo71]

and my main question is what are people testing there phosphates with? .....salifert always says zero....colorimeter now were talking!!!!!

charlie

 

[captbunzo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8993202#post8993202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VCoo71
and my main question is what are people testing there phosphates with? .....salifert always says zero....

Gotta beg to differ with you there, Charlie. I have always used a salifert test kit for measuring phosphate. Before I started using phosban (a Granulated Ferric Oxide phosphate remover) I got a consistent measurement of something like 1-3 ppm. Since then, I know get 0 - 0.3 or so, depending on how regularly I remember to change out my phosban.

 

[VCoo71]

there a huge diffrance between 1-3 PPM just like 0-0.03 is ...im just saying phosphate is a very difficult thing to measure...... im a big fan of using the right tool for the right job

charlie

 

[djc1026]

I use Salifert tests. Most phosphate tests only test for a portion of phosphates present, so unless you have a really good testing kit that is good for the entire spectrum of phosphates, you're right, I could be testing 0, but still have a phosphate problem. This is why I believe I have an undetected and/or unmeasured nutrient issue.

Dave

 

[captbunzo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8993438#post8993438 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VCoo71
there a huge diffrance between 1-3 PPM just like 0-0.03 is ...im just saying phosphate is a very difficult thing to measure...... im a big fan of using the right tool for the right job

No, I meant not 1 - 3 or 0 - 0.3 as a range that it measured, but rather as different measurements I got at different times (1, 2, 3, etc).

And I am sure a colorimeter is the right tool. But can you recommend a reasonably priced one?

 

[Reef Happy]

Will emeralds feed off of other algae such as hair algae?
Who in town has them in stock?

 

[TimV]

Emerald crabs eat lots of microscopic algaes. They'll do fine in any non-aggressive tank.

Most of the LFS will have them at any given time. Give a call around to the various stores and check on their current stock.

T

 

[Serra]

My pygmy angel kept losing her tail fin...zap...gone over night. The only thing that could have been eating on it was my emerald crab (that is now gone). Has anyone else had this problem with crabs?

 

[OUBrook]

I generally don't trust any kind of crab. They will eat anything they can get their hands on. I do like the porcelain crabs though