bubble algae

[cruzin94066]

What causes bubble algae?

 

[mdisalvo55]

Other bubble algae?

 

[PatMayo]

I just think it is an algae that is endemic in reef rock. You have to keep an eye our for it. My wife spotted 1 big one the other day that was hidden under a rock. It was the size of a marble. I was able to pick it right off the rock with no breakage at all.

Regards,

Pat

 

[nutshells]

maybe you have too much light

 

[kraze3]

i think some how gas forms under the algae, maybe that was obvious i dunno. Possibly water conditions, maybe micro bubbles?

 

[Blown 346]

Bubble algae is caused from to many organics/ proteins in the tank. Other algaes are also caused by this as well.
If you over feed, dont do normal water changes, change lighting to more intense setups, or have old lighting, no skimmer, use tap water. All of these things plus many more can cause nuisance algae's and Bubble algae is one of them.

 

[m3rcury]

hmm, i seem to have some bubble algea spreading in my tank. i didn't do anything when i first saw it because i thought it would just go away. will it? or, do i need to intervene?

 

[jknecht]

I've never seen it just go away. You have to pick it off or find something to eat it, which the jury is still out on what really eats it. Some people have success with different crabs.

 

[rivank]

Emerald green crabs have done an excellent job of ridding my tank of bubble algae. I put them in the tank and it's the first thing they have gone after every time.

 

[Blown 346]

Emerald crabs are a hit or miss, some will eat them and some wont. Plus all crabs are optunistic feeders. They will get what they can, if that means going for your snails or small fish at night while they are resting so be it.

 

[fish_is_my_name]

All algae problems stem from too much nutrients in your water column. cut down your feeding

 

[Wryknow]

Bubble algae is just a naturally occuring algae like any other. If you control your nutrient levels it shouldn't be a problem. I think that it's actually a nice addition to my tank as long as it doesn't over-grow anything. I have had no luck with emerald crabs eating it myself - the only way that I have found to remove it is to pluck it off of the rock. Is it really a problem though? It is a macro-algae that is absorbing nitrates and other waste compounds from your water after all.