Bubble Coral in Trouble

Tennyson · 10/14/2008, 03:30 PM

I've had a small bubble coral for about a month now, its been doing good, but it fell over one time from my turbo snail.
I set it back up, and it was closed up for a while, during this time, parts of it's skeleton are covered with algae and it's preventing it from expanding.
I've tried getting it off, but it's too hard with its small delicate skeleton.

How can I get rid of the filmy algae on my bubble coral? Will leaving the ligts on a shorter time be any use? Or maybe place my bubble coral on the bottom, or in a shaded area for a while?

any help would be appreciated. thanks

ScooterBlenny · 10/15/2008, 08:12 AM

Have you tried blowing the algae off with a powerhead or turkey baster?

cap1956 · 10/15/2008, 11:11 AM

I'd agree with gently blowing the alae off. My bubble recedes like this from time to time. especially if I have moved it. I don't follow how the filmy algae could keep it from opening, it's probably more of an eyesoar than a problem. It is probably just closed from the fal/move. It should open on it's own in a day or two.

Tennyson · 10/15/2008, 01:28 PM

Thats the problem, its been about a week, and when I said fall I meant it tipped over.

And I've tried, but the skeleton is a bit brown where the algae is.

JayB1224 · 10/15/2008, 06:33 PM

Dont worry to much about it. It will come back and start to cover the area of skeleton with algae on it. I bought a bubble that was totaly bleached out with algae on 75% of it skeleton. I placed it in the tank and havent touched it other than feeding it every few days. Its now 6 months later and it is fully open with no algae anywhere. Its even getting some red color back to it finally.

captstinky · 10/15/2008, 06:43 PM

I picked up a bubble from someone, and the skeleton was covered with algae. If you 'irritate' the coral, it'll shrink, which may allow you to pull off, or scrape off the growth of algae. I wouldn't hammer it with current/powerheads as the bubble aren't too crazy about high flow. When I got the bubble, it had fallen in the previous tank, so was torn. I fed it very fine particles of fish food, kept supplements up, and it's a happy LPS today.

10/14/2008, 03:30 PM	#1
Tennyson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,353	Bubble Coral in Trouble I've had a small bubble coral for about a month now, its been doing good, but it fell over one time from my turbo snail. I set it back up, and it was closed up for a while, during this time, parts of it's skeleton are covered with algae and it's preventing it from expanding. I've tried getting it off, but it's too hard with its small delicate skeleton. How can I get rid of the filmy algae on my bubble coral? Will leaving the ligts on a shorter time be any use? Or maybe place my bubble coral on the bottom, or in a shaded area for a while? any help would be appreciated. thanks

10/15/2008, 06:33 PM	#5
JayB1224 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 342	Dont worry to much about it. It will come back and start to cover the area of skeleton with algae on it. I bought a bubble that was totaly bleached out with algae on 75% of it skeleton. I placed it in the tank and havent touched it other than feeding it every few days. Its now 6 months later and it is fully open with no algae anywhere. Its even getting some red color back to it finally. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 30g sump, 2x250w reefoptixIII, Octo Extreme 160 w/PW

10/15/2008, 08:12 AM	#2
ScooterBlenny Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 155	Have you tried blowing the algae off with a powerhead or turkey baster?

10/15/2008, 11:11 AM	#3
cap1956 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Titusville, Florida Posts: 105	I'd agree with gently blowing the alae off. My bubble recedes like this from time to time. especially if I have moved it. I don't follow how the filmy algae could keep it from opening, it's probably more of an eyesoar than a problem. It is probably just closed from the fal/move. It should open on it's own in a day or two.

10/15/2008, 01:28 PM	#4
Tennyson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,353	Thats the problem, its been about a week, and when I said fall I meant it tipped over. And I've tried, but the skeleton is a bit brown where the algae is.

10/15/2008, 06:43 PM	#6
captstinky Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 309	I picked up a bubble from someone, and the skeleton was covered with algae. If you 'irritate' the coral, it'll shrink, which may allow you to pull off, or scrape off the growth of algae. I wouldn't hammer it with current/powerheads as the bubble aren't too crazy about high flow. When I got the bubble, it had fallen in the previous tank, so was torn. I fed it very fine particles of fish food, kept supplements up, and it's a happy LPS today.