bubble Algae

[Im Lon 2]

I have Bubble Algae so bad it starting to look like I want it there. Some of it is bigger than some of my Corals.. :eek1:

What causes Bubble algea, and what is the best way to get it under control.

 

[Nanook]

Sounds like a Griss-Wannabe:lol:

Manual removal works

 

[Im Lon 2]

I have tried that it comes out in huge chunks.. and you cannot tell I have even done anything. Now I have it on my Power heads because the pieces that float around..

 

[Nanook]

Most sailfin tangs eat it as do rabbits. Also, emerald crabs with LARGE claws go after it with a vengeance.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Fox Face? Come on tell me yeah.. I have been wanting to get another one.

 

[Nanook]

Not for sure on the Foxface...gamble.

 

[trottman]

i saw two naso's go after it like it was candy.

 

[fazgood]

Many crabs are not strong enough to pop large bubbles so they wont touch it until they are already popped. Some say that the spores will just grow but they will pop anyway when they are mature. THis has good info.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php

Faz

 

[kraash]

I have had good luck with emeralds eating the smaller bubbles, I have also used a sharp piece of rigid tubing connected to a hose and siphon out the insides of the bubbles when doing water changes. I had also read that they release spores when they are popped, but when an emerald eats them, they are popped. I used the sharp tubing on half of my tank 2 months ago, and they haven't returned on that side. I also had a phosphate issue then and have since lowered them, so that could also help.

 

[Indermark]

I had a plague of bubble algae and finally bit the bullet and tried my own method of removal. When I worked at Petsmart I received about 15 feet of braided tubing for free after a remodel, The outside diameter is 1 inch. I basically used it as a siphon but i would drag it across the bubbles and break them and suck them up along with the ones that were on the sand bed and power heads . My method has worked great and has been about a month since starting and I have not see any coming back. I went with the 1 inch diameter tubing so there was more pull or sucking and the bigger bubbles could easily go through and not get stuck inside the tubing. I'm still fighting the bubble algae but I am winning with my new method. I was going to try pushing some needles at the end to pop and suck up any small ones I miss that are in tiny and hard to get locations After extensive research I have found that bubble algae doesn't need high nutrients or phosphates to thrive. I also tried eight emerald crabs which only knocked over coral and very seldom ate bubbles. I only witnessed one eat any bubbles.

Ryan

 

[StupidsReef]

Lon U mean you actully LOOKED at your tank??? What were you sick and couldn't move off the couch?? I'm truly surpized