Darn near every one of my zoas has bubble algae growing in w/ it. Will the bubble algae take over and kill the corals? I have been picking it out w/ tweezers, but now that I am back to work, I can't seem to keep up. Also, on one of the zoas, there is a xenia growing. Should I remove the xenia or let it grow? If it needs to be removed, how do I go about doing so? Does the xenia have a sting that will harm other corals?
bubble algae vs zoas
- Thread starter ccso139
- Start date
cfarrow2
Member
Really? I've never seen an emerald crab that didn't devour bubble algae. Are you feeding them anything else? It could be they have another food source that they prefer over the bubble algae. As far as the xenia, I don't know if they'll win a battle w/ zoas. Someone else will have to chime in there. I do know they grow fast, so removal may be your best option.
The crabs can get the left over bits and pieces from feeding, but no, I don't feed anything specifically for them. I like the xenia, just wondering if it will harm the zoas. As I have it now, hopefully it will willingly climb up on another rock and be off of the rock w/ the zoas?
cfarrow2
Member
Maybe they don't like hunting in the zoas. Though I really don't think zoas would bother a crab. One other thing is you don't want to rupture the bubble algae when you're plucking it off the rocks. It just helps to spread them. As far as the xenia, if it doesn't bother you to have them mingling together, then just leave them. You'll be able to tell if one is bothering the other b/c they'll show obvious signs of stress. Then you ncan decide to remove it or not. Not sure what to say about your picky emerald crabs. Maybe they just haven't discovered the bubble algae yet?
I have been taking the rocks w/ corals and algae out of tank and pulling algae off. Some of it does burst, but (I know, god forbid) I rinse it under tap water (inserts sounds of shock and dismay). And, so far, they are none the worse for wear... (crossing fingers and praying).
All you can really do is pull the bubbles out. Don't worry if some pop. After all, emeralds pop them to eat them. The hard to get ones I just pop with something sharp.
The big bubble type is pretty easy to deal with, it's the small squiggling kind that is a pain. But I have notice if you just scrape it off, the crabs clean up the remainder, and it does not seem to come back.
It's a mistake to rinse with tap water. All you are doing is introducing junk into your tank.
Like many things in reefing, persistence pays off in fighting bubble algae. Clean it up by hand, and get good stuff to grow over your rock. Bubble does not seem to like to compete for space.
nalbar
The big bubble type is pretty easy to deal with, it's the small squiggling kind that is a pain. But I have notice if you just scrape it off, the crabs clean up the remainder, and it does not seem to come back.
It's a mistake to rinse with tap water. All you are doing is introducing junk into your tank.
Like many things in reefing, persistence pays off in fighting bubble algae. Clean it up by hand, and get good stuff to grow over your rock. Bubble does not seem to like to compete for space.
nalbar
pledosophy
Active member
I just use a small gauge hose and suck out the bubbles during water changes. I use a pen cap to dislodge them. Took me about a month of doing a WC once a week, no more bubbles. I did add a few Emeralds as well.
JME
JME
