Bubble algae removal !! Emerald crab(s) ?

PattersM · 02/17/2010, 08:52 AM

My 55 gallon has been up just over a year and is doing OK.

Have periodic algae overgrowth but have just added a phosban reactor to the sump set-up so hoping that will work. (Will this stop chaeto growing in a refugium I'm looking to add to the system or will the chaeto be able to get enough phosphate to do it's job?)

My main algae issue is now bubble algae that has covered a lot of the rock and started to overgrow some coral. Do I risk some Emerald crabs as I haven't had anything other than small hermits in the tank and have seen mixed reviews re-crabs.

IslandCrow · 02/17/2010, 09:40 AM

I don't think the phosban reactor should have any significant affect on your chaeto growth. Many people use a reactor and grow chaeto. As for the bubble algae, emerald crabs may help, but are not going to solve a moderate to severe bubble algae outbreak. It's always kind of a toss-up on whether or not they'll eat the algae at all. I wouldn't worry about the crabs themselves, though. I haven't heard very many complaints that have any substance. I've had emerald crabs in all of my tanks, and they've never caused a problem. They can be a little territorial, and will brandish their claws against anyone who invades their space, but from what I've seen, it's all for show. I've never had an emerald attack one of my fish or go after any of my corals (though I have heard some isolated reports of them picking on zoanthids. . .I've never had a problem there either).

The best way to get rid of bubble algae, I'm afraid is manual removal combined with nutrient control. If you can remove the rocks from the tank, that's the best way. If not, I've had good luck scraping them off with my siphon hose when I do a water change. You're not going to get all of them, but by doing it that way, even if you break a few, you should hopefully suck up the spores before they spread through the tank. I had a pretty severe outbreak when I deployed for 7 months, and I was able to get my tank cleaned up in about a month using this technique. Getting my nitrates back under control was actually the tough part, as they had risen to around 50ppm while I was away.

PattersM · 02/17/2010, 11:50 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Manual removal it is then. I actually don't mind a few as Ithink they look quite nice it's only when they start muscling in on the corals I have a problem.

As for the phosban and chaeto, when do people know to change the resin?

I was thinking of putting some poly filter into the reactor as it changes color so was going to assume all the time it's white the phosphate must be low so the resin must still be working.

That assumes the poly filter doesn't strip the phosphate out first and do the resins job for it.

rtaylors3 · 02/17/2010, 01:26 PM

I have had a lot of luck with emerald crabs. No more bubble aglae here

Jstdv8 · 02/17/2010, 01:31 PM

I have bubble algae and have never seen my emerald touch it. he generally stays low in the tank and most of the bubbles are up higher

Outerlimits · 02/17/2010, 02:02 PM

Never had it before, but bought a BTA, and the coral head it was on, I bought it not to disturb the BTA. Didnt see any algae on it but it showed up shortly after I put the BTA in my tank. Bought 2 Emerald crabs. I dont see them eating any of the exsting bubble algae in the tank. Possibly they like the smaller stuff that is hard to see. Dont the crabs brake the sack of the algae when they eat it and release the spores inside the sack? All they eat is the flesh of the algae sack. Would manual removal with a siphon be the same thing?

02/17/2010, 08:52 AM	#1
PattersM Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mattawan, Michigan Posts: 117	Bubble algae removal !! Emerald crab(s) ? My 55 gallon has been up just over a year and is doing OK. Have periodic algae overgrowth but have just added a phosban reactor to the sump set-up so hoping that will work. (Will this stop chaeto growing in a refugium I'm looking to add to the system or will the chaeto be able to get enough phosphate to do it's job?) My main algae issue is now bubble algae that has covered a lot of the rock and started to overgrow some coral. Do I risk some Emerald crabs as I haven't had anything other than small hermits in the tank and have seen mixed reviews re-crabs.

02/17/2010, 09:40 AM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I don't think the phosban reactor should have any significant affect on your chaeto growth. Many people use a reactor and grow chaeto. As for the bubble algae, emerald crabs may help, but are not going to solve a moderate to severe bubble algae outbreak. It's always kind of a toss-up on whether or not they'll eat the algae at all. I wouldn't worry about the crabs themselves, though. I haven't heard very many complaints that have any substance. I've had emerald crabs in all of my tanks, and they've never caused a problem. They can be a little territorial, and will brandish their claws against anyone who invades their space, but from what I've seen, it's all for show. I've never had an emerald attack one of my fish or go after any of my corals (though I have heard some isolated reports of them picking on zoanthids. . .I've never had a problem there either). The best way to get rid of bubble algae, I'm afraid is manual removal combined with nutrient control. If you can remove the rocks from the tank, that's the best way. If not, I've had good luck scraping them off with my siphon hose when I do a water change. You're not going to get all of them, but by doing it that way, even if you break a few, you should hopefully suck up the spores before they spread through the tank. I had a pretty severe outbreak when I deployed for 7 months, and I was able to get my tank cleaned up in about a month using this technique. Getting my nitrates back under control was actually the tough part, as they had risen to around 50ppm while I was away. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/17/2010, 11:50 AM	#3
PattersM Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mattawan, Michigan Posts: 117	Thanks for the reply. Manual removal it is then. I actually don't mind a few as Ithink they look quite nice it's only when they start muscling in on the corals I have a problem. As for the phosban and chaeto, when do people know to change the resin? I was thinking of putting some poly filter into the reactor as it changes color so was going to assume all the time it's white the phosphate must be low so the resin must still be working. That assumes the poly filter doesn't strip the phosphate out first and do the resins job for it.

02/17/2010, 01:26 PM	#4
rtaylors3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: AL Posts: 224	I have had a lot of luck with emerald crabs. No more bubble aglae here

02/17/2010, 01:31 PM	#5
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	I have bubble algae and have never seen my emerald touch it. he generally stays low in the tank and most of the bubbles are up higher

02/17/2010, 02:02 PM	#6
Outerlimits Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 13	Never had it before, but bought a BTA, and the coral head it was on, I bought it not to disturb the BTA. Didnt see any algae on it but it showed up shortly after I put the BTA in my tank. Bought 2 Emerald crabs. I dont see them eating any of the exsting bubble algae in the tank. Possibly they like the smaller stuff that is hard to see. Dont the crabs brake the sack of the algae when they eat it and release the spores inside the sack? All they eat is the flesh of the algae sack. Would manual removal with a siphon be the same thing?