How to remove bubble Algae

SleepingDragon · 01/21/2006, 10:46 AM

I went on trip for 5 days. When I come home, ther is whole bunch of bubble algae in my tank. I suck some of it out. However, there are quite a few small one that I can't remove.

Any good way to do this ? Some grow on my SPS and whiten some of the tips ( since then, I glow them away with water). Not sure if the bubble will grwo on them again.

I have fish and both hard and soft coral in my tank.

Thanks

John Steidl · 01/21/2006, 11:06 AM

I'm a bit surprised that they took off in only 5 days, as I have always found Valonia to be fairly slow developing. I just remove them by hand--you need to grab them at the base and sometimes get them out of small crevices. If any are large (~1/4 inch) be especially careful not to pop them as they may be mature enought to contain spores. If you have more than a few dozen, you might try Emerald crabs. Here's a further link. I have not tried his method.

http://home.ptd.net/~reef101/phosrep.htm

SleepingDragon · 01/21/2006, 11:48 AM

Dear John,

Thanks for your help. I did help couple bubble algea that I removed before. Somehow it just get multipe quickly during the week. Accoding to the link that you give me, I does look like that I can siphon whatever I can and might be blow the small ones into the water column and let the filter trap them and discard.

I might get couple Emerald crab if they don't hurt the coral anyway.

Regards,

rdelong · 01/21/2006, 01:49 PM

Emerald Crabs are the ticket.

Tammy3770 · 01/21/2006, 01:56 PM

I had it then got a rabbit fish and he eat all of it in just a matter of days

glxtrix · 01/21/2006, 01:57 PM

just becareful if you try to remove yourself, if you pop them they will release spores and possibly result in the growth of more.

dpieroni · 02/28/2006, 07:13 AM

I just pick up each piece of live rock and use a small brush.
I brush the live rock under a water faucet to wash the live rock while I was removing the valonia.
My pieces of live rock were 70% cover by valonia, and whit this method, the 10% of the live rock have valonia again after 3 weeks.
I have brushed 30 pieces of live rock, so I think this method can work..
It is a terrible work, but only do it once...
hope this helps...

01/21/2006, 10:46 AM	#1
SleepingDragon Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	How to remove bubble Algae I went on trip for 5 days. When I come home, ther is whole bunch of bubble algae in my tank. I suck some of it out. However, there are quite a few small one that I can't remove. Any good way to do this ? Some grow on my SPS and whiten some of the tips ( since then, I glow them away with water). Not sure if the bubble will grwo on them again. I have fish and both hard and soft coral in my tank. Thanks

01/21/2006, 01:56 PM	#5
Tammy3770 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 315	I had it then got a rabbit fish and he eat all of it in just a matter of days __________________ I can only do so much before I decide I've done enough Current Tank Info: 100 us gallon (60"x18"x24") yeay!!

02/28/2006, 07:13 AM	#7
dpieroni Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Argentina Posts: 148	valonia removal I just pick up each piece of live rock and use a small brush. I brush the live rock under a water faucet to wash the live rock while I was removing the valonia. My pieces of live rock were 70% cover by valonia, and whit this method, the 10% of the live rock have valonia again after 3 weeks. I have brushed 30 pieces of live rock, so I think this method can work.. It is a terrible work, but only do it once... hope this helps...

01/21/2006, 11:06 AM	#2
John Steidl Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 20	I'm a bit surprised that they took off in only 5 days, as I have always found Valonia to be fairly slow developing. I just remove them by hand--you need to grab them at the base and sometimes get them out of small crevices. If any are large (~1/4 inch) be especially careful not to pop them as they may be mature enought to contain spores. If you have more than a few dozen, you might try Emerald crabs. Here's a further link. I have not tried his method. http://home.ptd.net/~reef101/phosrep.htm

01/21/2006, 11:48 AM	#3
SleepingDragon Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Dear John, Thanks for your help. I did help couple bubble algea that I removed before. Somehow it just get multipe quickly during the week. Accoding to the link that you give me, I does look like that I can siphon whatever I can and might be blow the small ones into the water column and let the filter trap them and discard. I might get couple Emerald crab if they don't hurt the coral anyway. Regards,

01/21/2006, 01:49 PM	#4
rdelong Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cranberry Township, PA Posts: 263	Emerald Crabs are the ticket.

01/21/2006, 01:57 PM	#6
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	just becareful if you try to remove yourself, if you pop them they will release spores and possibly result in the growth of more.