Bubble algae & DSB

[Robert Patterso]

I've got bubble algae, I've had the rock in my tank for about 4-41/2 yrs. No problems till about 6 mos. ago. I've always had a dsb 2-4" deep. Can the two be related? I mean as far as nutrients go. Put a fox face in see if he can help me out some. Moved the tank about 3 mos. ago took and scrubbed all bubble off. Thought I got lucky, well here we go again. Does anybody out there think removing the sandbed would be of any benefit or help to help in this matter. The last step would replace the rock. I use a uv sterilizer and phosban reactor, NO help on bubble algae.

 

[Serioussnaps]

no..removing the DSB wont help one bit....try emerald crabs...a few of them...if that doesnt work....i havent really ever had success with manual removal...i got a buble on a rock from the lfs and it spread like wildfire...i have it licked now due to emeralds but man that stuff is tough...

the only 100% way is to get new rock and cook it

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8139185#post8139185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
no..removing the DSB wont help one bit....try emerald crabs...a few of them...if that doesnt work....i havent really ever had success with manual removal...i got a buble on a rock from the lfs and it spread like wildfire...i have it licked now due to emeralds but man that stuff is tough...

the only 100% way is to get new rock and cook it

You got that right!!I do have emerald crabs. Only three though and I've never seen them go after the bubble algae. The tank is only 70 gal. how many crabs would you suggest?

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8139263#post8139263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robert Patterso
You got that right!!I do have emerald crabs. Only three though and I've never seen them go after the bubble algae. The tank is only 70 gal. how many crabs would you suggest?

Also not real crazy about spending 4 or 5 hundred on new rock. I have thought about though. But man what a drag!!!

 

[rtbm]

I was plagued with the stuff for a long time. I had huge removal sessions siphoning out tons of the stuff. It came back again and again. 6 emerald crabs didn't' help either. I had pretty much given up. Then one day about a month ago to my utter delight I observed the rabbitfish I have had in there for almost a year who never even looked at the stuff chomping away at it. In a matter of two days it was almost all gone. I have no idea what would make this fish suddenly have an appetite for bubble algae but he is now my most prized fish. On to the topic. Not sure if this is related but It wasn't until I removed my shallow sand bed that the valonia went crazy. almost immediately. Now it hasn't stopped growing. my fish is just able to maintain it nicely.

 

[Reefski's]

how big are the crabs? i think they have to be somewhat mature. i hadn't seen mine for about a year after i put it in. when it went in it was about an inch. when i was moving some rockwork there it was and is was HUGE, about 4 inches and scared the crap out of me. i don't know if it eats the bubble but i don't have a problem with it anymore. i also have a rabbit fish but have not seen it eating the occasional bubble either.

Carl

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8139893#post8139893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carloskoi
how big are the crabs? i think they have to be somewhat mature. i hadn't seen mine for about a year after i put it in. when it went in it was about an inch. when i was moving some rockwork there it was and is was HUGE, about 4 inches and scared the crap out of me. i don't know if it eats the bubble but i don't have a problem with it anymore. i also have a rabbit fish but have not seen it eating the occasional bubble either.

Carl

I have 3 and they're all about an inch. I just put the fox face in today. What do you think or did you do to get rid of your valoina?

 

[jjjimmy]

I believe that arrow crabs are more apt to go after bubble algea than emerald crabs.

 

[rtbm]

what makes you say that?