Bubble algae

[jimi thing]

Anybody have any tips on removing bubble algae? Thanks

 

[Blown 346]

Gently gtrab them amd twist them off if large enough, or you could get a sirenge(sp) and suck out the bad stuff.

 

[MaximusUSG]

I have a couple spots that appear to bubble algae. I haven't thought of removing them. Should it be removed?

 

[Blown 346]

I would remove it, the bigger they get the thinner there shell gets and they are prone to pop. If they pop the fluid inside will releas spores into your tank, and you will have bubble algae everywhere.

 

[six.line]

Emerald crabs are known to go after them-- although I'm not sure of their diet if there's no bubble algae.

 

[TekCat]

Emerald crabs are hit or miss. I have one, and it is completely ignoring the bubbles. Though your specimen might be more effective than mine Do not worry about their diet, they will eat almost anything.

 

[PoukieBear]

If you can, take the rock out of your tank before you try and pull them off...just in case it does break.

Better be safe than sorry.

 

[kraze3]

At least use a siphon while pulling them off so hopefully all of it will be siphoned out. Youll get your water change done at the same time

 

[Mrs.kbmdale]

I would not recommend twisting them off, they pop a lot easier that way. This is what I do:
Wait until they are big and not sooo deep green, this means they're about ready to pop anyway. Remove the rock, or whatever they're on, (if possible) Use your finger nail (easy for me mine are long) or something thin that you can get under the edge of the bubble and just pluck it off the rock. If you have to use force, then stop, its not ready yet and most likely you'll pop it. If you do pop it though, use a turkey baster and rinse that area of the rock.

HTH,
Brianna:rollface:

 

[Blown 346]

I have twisted a ton of them off while my tank was new and never had a problem withthem poping on me. You just have to be gentle and not do the twist method when they are big as there shell will get thinner.

 

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Oh don't take offense blown 346, I wasn't knocking your advice. Just giving some of my own with my own experiences. I only meant that "I" wouldn't recommend it, sorry if you took offense.

Brianna:rollface:

 

[Blown 346]

No, no offense at all, I was stating that they can be twisted off if done gently and they werent to big, I have used both methods before and they have worked great.

 

[r0bin]

When you are doing water changes just run the siphon hose over the bubble and it will suck off, through the tube and to you bucket. This works best when they are smaller but will work regardless. If you pop them its not a big deal. I pop them all the time when trying to remove and I have never had a prob.

 

[TekCat]

Hm... this makes me think... Emerald Crabs when eating bubbles don't eat them whole, but rather a chunk at a time, so they 'pop' them and people don't really complain about drastic spread of bubble algae when they have crab eating them.

 

[r0bin]

You raise a good point, they don't eat it whole. Also do not buy an emerald crab for the explicit reason of eating bubble algae. I had one that never even thought about eating it. Best way to reduce bubble algae to watch over feeding, reduce light, and manually remove with a syphon. Also get some chemi-pure. This stuff has done wonders on the algae in my tank. I freaked when I d first saw bubble algae in my tank, now I just do my regular maintenance and syphon it. Its really no big deal.

 

[jimi thing]

Thanks for all the advice. I bought a frag pack and one piece had one darn bubble and now I count about four. I'll try the syphon meathod and cross my fingers. Thanks again for the replies.