Bubble Algae???

[CTS]

I have a huge out break of bubble algae. What is the best way to get rid of it? I heard of two ways, please let me know if i'm right or wrong. The ways are

1. Use twezzers and pick them off.
2. I think i might of heard of some crab that eats bubble algae if so what kind of crab is it.

Thanks very much for your time.


CTS

 

[75Gallons]

I think the Mithrax crab eats it. Anyway i just saw that at my lfs

 

[atkinsg]

If you have a "huge outbreak", removing it by hand may be the best approach.

 

[Dubbin1]

Removing it by hand OUT of the tank would be best. Oh and do your best not to pop it.

 

[luvcabrera]

When I had bubble algae.. I removed what I could with tweezers and bought an emerald crab. I have't seen any bubble algae since.

 

[McNeal]

can you put a photo up of bubble algae? Do not know what it lookslike

 

[JimW]

Crabs are hit and miss. Manual removal might be best in a small tank. Dont worry about bursting them. Maintain water quality through frequent water changes.

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6494901#post6494901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JimW
Crabs are hit and miss. Manual removal might be best in a small tank. Dont worry about bursting them. Maintain water quality through frequent water changes.

Crabs(Emerald Crabs) are hit or miss mine took care of my bubble algae quick! but then you have to worry about the eating something they are not supposed to. ive been lucky so far.

manual removal is a 100% removal process. but if you happen to brust the bubble in the tank, the spores will go everywhere. now the way i see it is the crabs cant eat them whole so chances are they burst the bubbles. most the time you wont see a huge outbreak afterwards. but if the conditions are right you will.

i have herd of people sucking them up with a turkey baster. but ill stick with my crabs

 

[CTS]

OK, here is a picture of it. I tried to grab a few with twezzers but they just broke, to my surprize they are stuck on there very good. I will keep trying though.

 

[brad23]

I hate this stuff I tried to pull it off by hand and it exploded and shot me in the eye.

 

[bjolly]

remove them by hand. try not to burst them if you can help it but if you do it's not the end of the world. Get them all out of there while you can, before you end up with thousands of them.

 

[drwonga]

I got ****ed at my bubble algae problem and replaced the rock. Make sure you get it early, when the problem is small! :-D

 

[donta42]

i had a red bubble and when i tried to pull her out she exploded. im worried now, but its been about 3 weeks. i have a 12g cube. and do 10% weekly water changes. am i going to ok?

 

[scrmbld33]

my emeralds dont eat the small spots of bubble that i have, but i prefer to siphon it out when cleaning , just put the tube over and slide it ,comes right off

 

[JimW]

I see a little cyano on the sand also. Might want to take a look at this thread as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=725686

 

[CTS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6500529#post6500529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JimW
I see a little cyano on the sand also. Might want to take a look at this thread as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=725686

thanks, I was also wondering about that!!! My tank is only 4-5 months old now. So i'm hoping its just a phase.

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6500895#post6500895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CTS
thanks, I was also wondering about that!!! My tank is only 4-5 months old now. So i'm hoping its just a phase.

it may end up being more than a phase. be sure to do the water changes, and keep track of your nitrates, and phosphates!!

 

[John Kelly]

Persistent manual removal of the algae, along with using emerald crabs is about the only thing that works. Foxface rabbit fish will eat a little of it also. Buy emerald crabs with red color in their joints. These will (should) pick and eat smaller bubble algae.

I got so frustrated with bubble algae that I did an experiment. I set up a 10 gallon tank with nothing in it and used a ton of carbon in the filter. The water I used contained undetectable levels of nitrate, silicate, and phosphate. I let the tank run for several months until it cycled and everything that tried to grow in it was dead. I changed the carbon, then placed a rock with mushrooms, anthellia, and bubble algae on it into the tank. I left the light off for more than a month until the mushrooms and anthellia was bleached and practically dead. The bubble algae was as alive and green as ever....no sign of die off or stress. They didn't seem to grow at all though. None of them burst either.
If it is not dealt with, bubble algae can ruin a persons reef keeping joy.

 

[JimW]

CTS, what is you water source? Highly recommend RO. Eliminates possiblity of introduction of unwanted elements.

 

[sundance1]

My Emerald crabs eat it.