Bubble algae - Help!

[75pxatr]

I have an established tank over 3 years old with a thriving soft coral colonies - xenia, leather, zoas, candy cane, ricordea..... but have been plagued with re-occuring bubble algae.

My water parameters are all within range. I have tried emerald crabs with no luck. I can't eradicate it manually, too much live rock and places for it to hide. Look at the photos in my gallery- this algae is my only complaint.

Has anyone else been successful in such a battle?

I am thinking of adding UV sterilization as it in theory kills bacteria spores in the water.

How do you kill this in an established tank without harming the coral?

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Suck the stuff out, its the only way I know that works.

 

[theyellowdart]

I had i big bubble algae problem. I manually got out as much as i could, and then bought four emerald crabs. I noticed only the big emerald crabs with large claws had the strength to actually break through the bubble algae. Most of my bubble algae is gone now. There's a little left i could probably manually take out, but i want to make sure my emerald crabs have enough to eat so they don't go after my coral or fish.

 

[JB23]

75pxatr;
Well, please understand I have the 34 Gal RSM, but I had a huge bubble algae outbreak in month 2, but BOY OH BOY, my emerald crab absolutley picked everyone off within 3 or 4 days! Unbelievable! & he continutes to remove ALL & any algae in the tank!
Wish You The Best & Good Luck! Jerry

 

[75pxatr]

My emerald crabs do not seem to have the work ethic or appetite for bubble algae.

I would have to tear the tank down to get it all and disrupt my thriving corals to get it all out.

I hate the stuff.

 

[piercho]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php There are different genus of 'bubble' algae and they share little in common besides water-filled vesicals. You probably have Ventricaria, which is large and tough and difficult to find an effective grazer for.

 

[graveyardworm]

Constant manual removal. The more thats in there the more it will bloom. As it forms its tight little bunches it becomes a detritus trap and I believe actually begins to fuel itself by creating a little micro accumulation of nutrients within the cluster. Once you get the population of it down it will grow and spread more slowly and be a bit easier to control. If you have the space a refugium with macroalgae will also help to compete for available nutrients.