Bubble algae-need emerald crabs
- Thread starter rtecanoe
- Start date
TipSeaReefer
Member
just started algaefix last night to give my bubble algae issue a shot.
crabs didnt work.
crabs didnt work.
quagmire
Active member
I had a rather severe bubble algae outbreak after introducing a frag plug that had a single bubble on it. Really ticked me off since I prided myself on keeping an algae free tank. I introduced 5 emeralds at the same time but they would only eat small new growth. Did some research and came across an article somewhere on the net that recommended a naso tang. Thought it was a long shot but since I had the room for one I gave it a try. It cleared the tank in 3 months. Maybe I got lucky. I think qy7400 ended up with the tang. Not sure if it worked for him, hope so.
I was once told by a fish store worker that they use different rabbit fish to combat some of the oddball algae that shows up on new live rock from time to time. He said that they are algae specialists. Wouldn't hurt to ask some of the lfs people what they use. Chances are they have had to deal with much more than your average reefer.
If all else fails, you can remove the problematic rocks and pour peroxide directly on the algae. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes then scrub it clean with a stiff bristle brush. Rinse with salt water then return to the tank. The algae should be completely dead within a day or two. This has worked for me on every type of algae I've ever tried it on. I don't recommend this method for small tanks with inverts though. Things can go bad quickly. It doesn't take much peroxide to kill ornamental inverts so use caution and your best judgment.
I was once told by a fish store worker that they use different rabbit fish to combat some of the oddball algae that shows up on new live rock from time to time. He said that they are algae specialists. Wouldn't hurt to ask some of the lfs people what they use. Chances are they have had to deal with much more than your average reefer.
If all else fails, you can remove the problematic rocks and pour peroxide directly on the algae. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes then scrub it clean with a stiff bristle brush. Rinse with salt water then return to the tank. The algae should be completely dead within a day or two. This has worked for me on every type of algae I've ever tried it on. I don't recommend this method for small tanks with inverts though. Things can go bad quickly. It doesn't take much peroxide to kill ornamental inverts so use caution and your best judgment.
thanks for the advice. I have a 180 but I try to stay away from fish that get rather large like the naso tang, the 2 bar rabbitfish stays a bit smaller but still pretty big. I tried the algaefix marine a number of years ago when I didn't really know what I was doing so much and damaged a lot of my corals, I don't really like putting chemicals in the tank if I can avoid it. I think I'll check out aquahuts emerald crabs, I have good amount of bubble algae now, mine also started as a single or double bubble from a frag a number of months ago.
quagmire
Active member
You're welcome. I agree with you on adding fixes from a bottle. Nine out of ten times i'll try the natural approach first. There's usually something that will eat something else in the wild, it's natures balance. You just have to use a magnifying glass to see it sometimes.
The emeralds that I got were from aqua hut also and they did eat it, just not the larger bubbles and not at a fast enough rate to my liking.
I chose the smallest naso I could find in hopes that he wouldn't get too big before the job was done. Worked out perfect. Friendliest fish I've ever owned.
A little fyi. The peppermint shrimp that I used to keep aiptasia in check were also from aqua hut. They never failed me either. Both critters lived up to their expectations. Luck maybe, but it was a streak that lasted more than a decade. Thanks AH.
The emeralds that I got were from aqua hut also and they did eat it, just not the larger bubbles and not at a fast enough rate to my liking.
I chose the smallest naso I could find in hopes that he wouldn't get too big before the job was done. Worked out perfect. Friendliest fish I've ever owned.
A little fyi. The peppermint shrimp that I used to keep aiptasia in check were also from aqua hut. They never failed me either. Both critters lived up to their expectations. Luck maybe, but it was a streak that lasted more than a decade. Thanks AH.
Long Island Andy
Andy
Hi
Rabbitfish and Foxface have worked for me every time. The problem I have had with both of those fish are have also wiped out zoanthus colony's. Every fish is different but this has happened to me more than one time. The Naso is interesting because I have never seen them eat any coral. I have a few tanks I could try them in
Rabbitfish and Foxface have worked for me every time. The problem I have had with both of those fish are have also wiped out zoanthus colony's. Every fish is different but this has happened to me more than one time. The Naso is interesting because I have never seen them eat any coral. I have a few tanks I could try them in
