Bubble algae cropping up

[JR719]

So I've been noticing some bubble algae. No big deal, just picked it off and threw it away taking care not to "burst the bubble".

It's been getting worse, a lot worse. This stuff is even growing on the outlet side of powerheads. It's growing within branching corals and getting out of control.

I would like to know of any critters that will eat the stuff. Not just what is supposed to work, but what anyone has had experience with.

TIA,

JR

 

[pwhitby]

emerald crabs and Naso tangs do wonders

 

[theishkid]

My emerald crabs aren't doing crap for me... I've got them all over the place too!

 

[JR719]

Looks like a few emeralds are in my future. Not too sure I want a Naso just yet.

Thanks Paul.

 

[JR719]

Hey ish, have you had any luck with anything for the bubbles?

 

[theishkid]

Well to be honest... the first time I had bubbles the emeralds did take really good care of it. But this time around (new tank) I have two emeralds and very little luck with them pulling anything out. I might try getting a few more but I just don't really like emeralds all that much.

 

[captbunzo]

I've got some pretty solid bubble algae in some places in one of my tanks. I have some emeralds on the list of the near future to see what I can do about that..... I hope to have good results!

 

[theishkid]

A lot of times you can wiggle some of them out without popping them. I pulled out about 30 yesterday by hand and only popped one as it was coming out of the water.
One thing I have heard when it comes to the emeralds is that if the bubbles are too big the emeralds can't get a hold of them to eat the stuff. That might be my problem all of mine are the size of quarters in diameter. I don't know if any of that is true or not but just something I've read online before.

 

[BigScott]

i had a bad time with bubblealge tnen i found this emerald crab the size of a silver dollar at wet pets , i got another one last night an thier munchin on the alge{bubble} just wished i had gotten them sooner..

 

[papagimp]

I went through 4 emeralds before I came across one that would eat the bubble alage in my tank. From what I hear it's a 50/50 shot if they will or not. I'm always reaching in the tank and ripping out large sheets of this stuff, i don't worry bout popping em, since they havn't really sprung back up when I tear em out. I think the macro in the fuge is helping alot with this.

 

[djc1026]

I had a pretty bad breakout. A couple of months ago, I asked the same question. I've had emeralds before, but no luck. After much searching, not very many options could be found. So I was in Norman and Wet Pets had a few larger crabs, quarter size or so. I picked up two and wish I would have got three. The emeralds I got from there have eaten bubble algae since day one going in the tank. Also in my readings I discovered that some Zebrasoma species of tang may graze on bubble algae. I found a beautiful silver dollar size sailfin tang, and he has been eating it as well.

It's been a good two months and there is considerably less bubble algae. The largerer bubbles are a different strain of bubble algae and I usually have to manually remove those. However, if they pop on there own, the crabs and the tang eat the skin.

Anyway there's my experiences.

Dave

 

[TimV]

If the bubbles are large enough, emeralds cannot take care of them. Just pop the the large ones or remove them manually.

T

 

[OUBrook]

I've wondered, if the best plan is to get Emerald Crabs to take care of bubble algae (which I have heard many times is basically the only thing that will eat it), how do the crabs eat the bubbles without popping them? And if they do end up popping them, why not just scrape them all off?

What conditions create bubble algae? I do not have any in mine, but I've seen tanks just teeming with bubbles...

 

[JimmyS]

When I had bubble algae I took Tim's advice. I popped the algae and the emerald crabs took care of the rest.

 

[djc1026]

Brook, they do pop them, but then they eat the spores that settle on the rocks as well as any new bubbles that begin to crop up, given the emeralds you have are eating the bubble algae.

Dave

 

[OUBrook]

It seems like an uphill battle. Because when one pops, they'll grow in your sump/fuge, in places the crabs can't get (on the glass?), on pumps, etc. Then those will someday pop...

What water conditions/supplementation could be changed?

 

[djc1026]

Mine is noticeably decreasing over the past two months. As far as water conditions, I think it's an unseen or untestable nutrient issue. I have 0 measurable phosphate and undetectable nitrates in both my main and SH tank.

I have a huge ball of cheato and some caulerpa prolifera in the sump on the main and prolifera that has to be pruned at least monthly in the SH tank and I have bubble algae. I've only had a small battle with hair algae in the main tank within the first few months was set up and never in the SH tank.

Thus my conclusion of some untested or undetectable nutrient issue that isn't being consumed by something in the systems other than the bubble algae.

Dave

 

[JR719]

Conditions I don't know. I have 0 Nitrites and Nitrates, Phosphates are just barely detectable. I've pulled out a few corals and popped the bubbles then gave the corals a good swish in new water. This stuff just keeps cropping up. I have a good stand of macro going also.

I'm going to give the emeralds a try and see what happens. If they don't eat the bubbles, maybe something else undesirable in the tank? We'll see...

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

 

[saltysooner]

What is your ph and alkalinity running? I read in one of J sprungs books that a low alk can contribute. emeralds are great IMO
Good luck
Lori

 

[JR719]

My Ph fluctuates dramatically between day and night. I drip kalk thru the night to help. Have not tested alk in a while. Since I've been dripping kalk the alk has been fine (early on anyway). I have not checked it in a while, so.... Guess I'll check to be sure.

I really should get a kalk reactor you know.