Bubble algae, how do I get rid of it?

[Robert Patterso]

I'm not sure if this belongs in Advance forum or not, but I've got bubble algae and can't seem to get rid of it. Tried emerald crabs no luck. What's the cause? Is it phosphates? I use a phosban reactor with Rowa Phos. No hair algae just bubble. There has to be a way to get rid of it. Any input on this would be appreciated.

Thank you, Robert

 

[graveyardworm]

Bubble algae (Valonia) seems to do well in low nutrient as well as high nutrient systems. Once established it can be very difficult to erradicate. Emeralds are hit or miss as you've found out. Some Rabbitfish will eat it like the Foxface, but I've found these are hit or miss as well. The easiest way to get rid of it is manual removal, but you have to be careful not to pop the bubbles because mature ones house spores which will spread the algea to other rocks. If its only on one rock and none of the bubbles have popped yet I would remove the rock. I've had it in my tanks for atleast a couple years now, and it is a constant battle. I've tried every method. I've pulled and siphoned, cooked my rock, and tried various predators. Here's an article to read.

 

[piercho]

I will second most of what David has written. Just be aware that for a fish to graze bubble algae, it has to be able to get a hold of it with its teeth. Some bubble algae are easily grazed by a fish like Siganus, others are much more resilient. It will be a challenge to find a smallish fish (70 gal tank) that can eat biggish bubble algae.

Diadema urchins will graze what bubble algae they can get at, IME. Diadema is thorough grazer and will graze most plants, with some notable exceptions. A downside to Diadema is that it will outgrow most tanks in a fairly short time, and becomes a "bad citizen" (coral eater) when it reaches its growth limit in a tank, IME. I'm currently trying Echinometra urchins. These urchins don't grow as fast as Diadema. I expect but can't confirm that they would be an effective control of bubble alga. If you try Diadema, only purchase one, in a few months it will have spines 7" and longer and will be grazing most of a 70 gal tank every day. I can't recommend a stocking rate for Echinometra lacunter, but it will take a few to get much immediate satisfaction.

Probably the best control of the bubble-type alga is not introducing them to the tank. However, the conditions that live rock is kept in (low light, high nutrients) during holding on its way to the consumer make it almost certain that rock will be purchased with at least one specie of bubble algae established, IMO. This brings us to the paradox of purchasing imported “live” rock to then proceed to kill much of what is on it through extended light deprivation (“cooking”) and even more aggressive measures. However, "cooking" may be a possible control, but one most of us who frequent the plant forum have never tried.

 

[Robert Patterso]

Thanks Howard, I'll see about one of the formentioned urchins.
I don't have it "bad" and most of it is relatively small but would like to nip it in the bud.

Robert

 

[wuelfman]

i had it all over my 225 tried everything to get rid of it. (crabs,rabbitfish plucking it out by hand)
the only thing that worked for me was to take the rock out to the driveway and pressure wash it. not one has returned

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8042898#post8042898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wuelfman
i had it all over my 225 tried everything to get rid of it. (crabs,rabbitfish plucking it out by hand)
the only thing that worked for me was to take the rock out to the driveway and pressure wash it. not one has returned

Didn't you bio. take a pretty big hit for that? I recently had to move my tank into my new home so scrubbed rock with brush and rinced with in salt water. It's back but not near as bad. i'm thinking about setting another tank to move corals and fish into and just cooking the rock. No lights.

 

[wuelfman]

my tank had a light load as far as rock and fish go.
i also added some more live rock i had been curing in the garage.so no spikes for me.
i figured with power washing it does not use that much water and was out of saltwater for 3-5 minutes for each rock mostly it was washed on the surface of the rock deep in the rock i dont think was that affected
i was at the point i was gonna cook it all in the sun for a week
with bubble algea i think cooking might not do much to it. i know a couple people that did that for 4-6 months the little buggers still there.

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8043674#post8043674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wuelfman
my tank had a light load as far as rock and fish go.
i also added some more live rock i had been curing in the garage.so no spikes for me.
i figured with power washing it does not use that much water and was out of saltwater for 3-5 minutes for each rock mostly it was washed on the surface of the rock deep in the rock i dont think was that affected
i was at the point i was gonna cook it all in the sun for a week
with bubble algea i think cooking might not do much to it. i know a couple people that did that for 4-6 months the little buggers still there.

Stuff is extreeemly reselient.:mad2: I may have to try the pressure wash idea.