the demise of bubble algae

AquaMANNN · 08/30/2009, 06:41 PM

So, my 29 gallon was COMPLETELY overrun with bubble algae, and I mean completely....
Today, I decided that I had had enough and moved all the rock and corals and snails that looked like they had it growing on them to the 90 gallon that is also overrun. I also vaccumed out 50% of the sand because it was thicker than I wanted it to be. I removed the pumps, hang on tank skimmer, etc. and scrubbed and soaked in very very hot fresh water. I sucked 75% of the water out of the tank and replaced with freshly made.

There are no bubbbles, ANYWHERE, in the tank that I can see or on the sand. The tank is still cloudy and won't be able to look for more until later...

How likely would it be that I will see new bubbles grow from the "spores" if there are any in the sand and 25% water that was remaining in the tank? Will the equiptment exposed to scalding hot water have bubbles re-appear in a matter of weeks?

I am going to buy 100% new cured live rock from the store that will be bubble algae free...

Should I wait about 2 weeks or so to see if any more bubble algae is going to appear before risking the new rock to become infected?

BTW it all started with one bubble

AquaMANNN · 08/30/2009, 09:05 PM

bump 0_0

RobbyVonAwesome · 08/30/2009, 10:45 PM

Man, that must have one massive case of bubble algae to cause you to go and do all of that.

The spores can be in the water, and maybe even settled in the sand.

What I'd do is take the rock out and cook it while you let the tank sit empty awhile. Then you won't need to get new rock.

Flipper62 · 08/30/2009, 11:03 PM

My first question would be if it all started with 1 bubble........How the hell did you let it over take the tank ????

Emerald crabs will ( sometimes ) take care of it. But not that much.

If your starting off new, I would suggest getting a few Emerald Crabs.....if it comes back, they may be able to keep it under control

woowoodengy · 08/30/2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flipper62
My first question would be if it all started with 1 bubble........How the hell did you let it over take the tank ????

Emerald crabs will ( sometimes ) take care of it. But not that much.

If your starting off new, I would suggest getting a few Emerald Crabs.....if it comes back, they may be able to keep it under control

+1

AquaMANNN · 08/31/2009, 08:24 AM

It was on a very very nice $60 blastomussa coral, perfectly round etc. and inbetween the heads... I really didnt want to mess it up. BUT it eventually died, mabe because of the bubble algea overtaking it.

It slowly progressed from there, I saw it here and there and everyhwere. You could say I slakked off for a couple of months and it got out of hand. I would rather have a few aptasia here and there than be ovverrun with bubble algae like I was...

bubbly · 08/31/2009, 09:05 AM

Bubble algae tends to be a fact of life with reef tanks -- even if you managed to get every single spore, your next coral or new live rock might have bubble algae spores in it.

If the bubble algae took over your tank, that means that there was a lot of nutrients (phosphates and whatever) that fueled their growth. Maybe you get every single spore, but next time it's hair algae that takes over your tank because the nutrients are still there and it gets out of hand through neglect again.

I would say learn how to do vodka dosing in a careful way, and if you see any bubble algae then start vodka dosing and water changes to lower the nutrients and then make sure that you get rid of the bubbles.

Then get a bunch of herbivorous snails to help eat any remaining spores and the emerald crabs to get any that get too large for the snails and you should be fine.

If your 90 gallon is overrun with them too it probably has way too many nutrients in the water as well.

64Ivy · 08/31/2009, 09:52 AM

From all that I have read, Valonia (bubble algae) is one algae that does NOT need a great deal of nutrients in order to thrive which is why manual extraction and biological methods (fish, crabs, etc.) seem to have a higher success rate than regular maintenance does. Therefore, now that your tank has been cleaned, I'd follow some previous recommendations and keep a CC around just to make sure everything stays in check.

AquaMANNN · 08/31/2009, 10:07 AM

I have a bak pak hang on tank skimmer for the 29, which IMO is rated high enough for my size tank.

ALso a single 250 watt SPS brand 20k metal halide which I am going to be changing to a phoenex 14k in the next 3 months hopefully.

I don't think I had excess nutrients, only fed once or twice a day and have a clownfish and damselfish also...

The rock I am plannin on buying came out of a older tank that was torn down, its awesome rock but $9/pound and it is the only fish store in my area in a 1 hour or more radius. Seriously the best rock I have ever seen actually. It is cured so I don't have to worry about it fouling my water, etc.

08/30/2009, 06:41 PM	#1
AquaMANNN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 21	the demise of bubble algae So, my 29 gallon was COMPLETELY overrun with bubble algae, and I mean completely.... Today, I decided that I had had enough and moved all the rock and corals and snails that looked like they had it growing on them to the 90 gallon that is also overrun. I also vaccumed out 50% of the sand because it was thicker than I wanted it to be. I removed the pumps, hang on tank skimmer, etc. and scrubbed and soaked in very very hot fresh water. I sucked 75% of the water out of the tank and replaced with freshly made. There are no bubbbles, ANYWHERE, in the tank that I can see or on the sand. The tank is still cloudy and won't be able to look for more until later... How likely would it be that I will see new bubbles grow from the "spores" if there are any in the sand and 25% water that was remaining in the tank? Will the equiptment exposed to scalding hot water have bubbles re-appear in a matter of weeks? I am going to buy 100% new cured live rock from the store that will be bubble algae free... Should I wait about 2 weeks or so to see if any more bubble algae is going to appear before risking the new rock to become infected? BTW it all started with one bubble __________________ Because I said so Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef

08/30/2009, 09:05 PM	#2
AquaMANNN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 21	bump 0_0 __________________ Because I said so Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef

08/30/2009, 11:03 PM	#4
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	My first question would be if it all started with 1 bubble........How the hell did you let it over take the tank ???? Emerald crabs will ( sometimes ) take care of it. But not that much. If your starting off new, I would suggest getting a few Emerald Crabs.....if it comes back, they may be able to keep it under control __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

08/31/2009, 08:24 AM	#6
AquaMANNN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 21	It was on a very very nice $60 blastomussa coral, perfectly round etc. and inbetween the heads... I really didnt want to mess it up. BUT it eventually died, mabe because of the bubble algea overtaking it. It slowly progressed from there, I saw it here and there and everyhwere. You could say I slakked off for a couple of months and it got out of hand. I would rather have a few aptasia here and there than be ovverrun with bubble algae like I was... __________________ Because I said so Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef

08/31/2009, 09:52 AM	#8
64Ivy B'rer Reefer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 3,194	From all that I have read, Valonia (bubble algae) is one algae that does NOT need a great deal of nutrients in order to thrive which is why manual extraction and biological methods (fish, crabs, etc.) seem to have a higher success rate than regular maintenance does. Therefore, now that your tank has been cleaned, I'd follow some previous recommendations and keep a CC around just to make sure everything stays in check. __________________ Be Kind To The Elderly. Life Without Parole Means Nothing To Us. ToTM 3-03 Current Tank Info: Between tanks. Searching for a home

08/30/2009, 10:45 PM	#3
RobbyVonAwesome Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 394	Man, that must have one massive case of bubble algae to cause you to go and do all of that. The spores can be in the water, and maybe even settled in the sand. What I'd do is take the rock out and cook it while you let the tank sit empty awhile. Then you won't need to get new rock.

08/31/2009, 09:05 AM	#7
bubbly Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 331	Bubble algae tends to be a fact of life with reef tanks -- even if you managed to get every single spore, your next coral or new live rock might have bubble algae spores in it. If the bubble algae took over your tank, that means that there was a lot of nutrients (phosphates and whatever) that fueled their growth. Maybe you get every single spore, but next time it's hair algae that takes over your tank because the nutrients are still there and it gets out of hand through neglect again. I would say learn how to do vodka dosing in a careful way, and if you see any bubble algae then start vodka dosing and water changes to lower the nutrients and then make sure that you get rid of the bubbles. Then get a bunch of herbivorous snails to help eat any remaining spores and the emerald crabs to get any that get too large for the snails and you should be fine. If your 90 gallon is overrun with them too it probably has way too many nutrients in the water as well.

08/31/2009, 10:07 AM	#9
AquaMANNN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 21	I have a bak pak hang on tank skimmer for the 29, which IMO is rated high enough for my size tank. ALso a single 250 watt SPS brand 20k metal halide which I am going to be changing to a phoenex 14k in the next 3 months hopefully. I don't think I had excess nutrients, only fed once or twice a day and have a clownfish and damselfish also... The rock I am plannin on buying came out of a older tank that was torn down, its awesome rock but $9/pound and it is the only fish store in my area in a 1 hour or more radius. Seriously the best rock I have ever seen actually. It is cured so I don't have to worry about it fouling my water, etc. __________________ Because I said so Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef