Help with Bubble Algae

[dwiseman]

This winter took my tank apart to remove all my mushrooms. Did this with great succes but now I am having problems with bubble algae. It hasn't become excessive but I can see it going there if I don't control it. I am removing what I can by hand without trying to burst the algae.

What is causing this problem because I never had a problem like this before? Nothing has changed? What can I do to control it?

I use RO/DI and alternate feedings between mysis, brine and phyoto. I don't overfeed.

 

[my2girls]

Bubble algae is tough stuff. Try to lower nutrients in your water. Increase the flow and avoid "dead spots". Definitely do not pop the bubbles. It is not just a myth. They will spread like wildfire if popped.

 

[Obi-dad]

Some people say emerald crabs eat bubble algae, but I have tried them in a previous tank and my current stonies tank, and they don't appear to eat it - just eat coralline algae. I just pry the bubble algae off the rocks and siphon them out, but it seems like a never-ending battle.

 

[warren thomas]

i do the pry and remove thing .i like emeralds but have a hard time keeping them long so i could never tell if they are eating bubble algae plus iv always had easier algae for them to work on so that could be an issue.

 

[tsquad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963082#post6963082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by my2girls
Bubble algae is tough stuff. Try to lower nutrients in your water. Increase the flow and avoid "dead spots". Definitely do not pop the bubbles. It is not just a myth. They will spread like wildfire if popped.

Actually, bubble algae thrives in low nutrient water. I've had "success" with manual removal. It did come back, but very slowly.

 

[burke031]

Emerald crabs loved to eat it in my tank.....

 

[staninct]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6964512#post6964512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by burke031
Emerald crabs loved to eat it in my tank.....

Mine too....

 

[Jens Kallmeyer]

Mine too, but only the small bubbles. If you have larger ones, remove those by hand, and let the emerald crabs do the rest

 

[dwiseman]

Looks like I will be going to FnF to find some emerald crabs. Thanks

 

[my2girls]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963973#post6963973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tsquad
Actually, bubble algae thrives in low nutrient water. I've had "success" with manual removal. It did come back, but very slowly.

Yes, bubble algae does do well in low nutrients and low light. I still believe low nutients and increased flow are key. Good luck with the Emerald crabs. I had a Sohol tang that ate them. I would pry them from the rock by hand and he would eat them once they were floating.

 

[mmd]

emeralds work for me

 

[Carressa]

My emeralds keep my tank bubble free.

 

[dwiseman]

picked them up tonight at FnF. I will give them a try

 

[tsquad]

lol my emerald didn't eat mine

My Foxface ate the small ones though...that's how I kept it in check for so long. I manually removed all the big ones. The ones I missed would pop, and make little ones, and my Foxface would get them. So I had no bubble algae until Larry died

 

[wentreefgirl]

Since I started with the marine sat and the phosphate reactor, my bubble is gone gone gone. Emeralds like my polyps. So thats a no no/