Bubble Algae or something else? (with pics)

bms270 · 08/16/2009, 08:15 PM

Hi All,

A few days ago I noticed some very small clear bubbles appearing on some rocks. I did not do anything to take them out till yesterday withing about 30 mins they all started to get bigger and bigger and some even poped. I sucked all bubbles I could find with a hose and did 30% water change. things looked better this morning but now I see some bubbles forming on the rocks again, the picture below is taken right before I suck them out:

[IMG]http://i25.*******.com/315kitd.jpg[/IMG]

The only thing I can say is that the bubbles are forming on some sort of red algae (possibly cyano?). I need to first identify the type of these bubbles and then the possible cures. I did some researches on bubble algae but couldn't find a right match

the following picture is taken today which shows bubble are back again...

[IMG]http://i31.*******.com/ibwh2o.jpg[/IMG]

and even on top of the powerhead:

[IMG]http://i29.*******.com/10wjyf4.jpg[/IMG]

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Bijan

cham · 08/16/2009, 08:32 PM

Cyano bacteria.

Get your nutrients under control.

Misled · 08/16/2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cham
Cyano bacteria.

Get your nutrients under control.

Yup, what cham said.

sedor · 08/16/2009, 08:44 PM

Definately cyano, it just traps the bubbles under it like that. Try pointing a powerhead at the effected area, but more importantly you've got something feeding the stuff. Could be overfeeding or under skimming.

ERICinFL · 08/16/2009, 09:08 PM

I agree with the above posts. I get Cyano from time to time and it does the same thing. Generally Cyano starts in low flow areas, so you may need to add a powerhead or two. Check your nitrate and phosphate levels too, if they are elevated, the Cyano will continue to thrive.

bms270 · 08/16/2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks all, so I guess its clear that its not bubble algae, my nitrate is about 20ppm, other than WC what else I could do to control this specific cyano bacteria?

sedor · 08/16/2009, 09:28 PM

You could get a bigger skimmer, run a phosban reactor (probably the cheapest and easiest way) or start dosing something like vodka, but I probably don't recommend the latter for a beginner.

Flipper62 · 08/16/2009, 09:46 PM

What you have is CyanoBacteria. Not bubble algae. Bubble algae are round and green.

CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water flow. Add or redirect your powerheads. You need a good water movement in the tank.

Here are 2 GREAT articals on CyanoBacteria.

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288

http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

bms270 · 08/16/2009, 10:23 PM

Great! Thanks everyone for the comments and guides.

08/16/2009, 08:15 PM	#1
bms270 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 243	Bubble Algae or something else? (with pics) Hi All, A few days ago I noticed some very small clear bubbles appearing on some rocks. I did not do anything to take them out till yesterday withing about 30 mins they all started to get bigger and bigger and some even poped. I sucked all bubbles I could find with a hose and did 30% water change. things looked better this morning but now I see some bubbles forming on the rocks again, the picture below is taken right before I suck them out: [IMG]http://i25.*****.com/315kitd.jpg[/IMG] The only thing I can say is that the bubbles are forming on some sort of red algae (possibly cyano?). I need to first identify the type of these bubbles and then the possible cures. I did some researches on bubble algae but couldn't find a right match the following picture is taken today which shows bubble are back again... [IMG]http://i31.***.com/ibwh2o.jpg[/IMG] and even on top of the powerhead: [IMG]http://i29.*****.com/10wjyf4.jpg[/IMG] Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Bijan __________________ "I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it." Current Tank Info: 225G Mixed Reef

08/16/2009, 08:44 PM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Definately cyano, it just traps the bubbles under it like that. Try pointing a powerhead at the effected area, but more importantly you've got something feeding the stuff. Could be overfeeding or under skimming. __________________ Ryan

08/16/2009, 09:08 PM	#5
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	I agree with the above posts. I get Cyano from time to time and it does the same thing. Generally Cyano starts in low flow areas, so you may need to add a powerhead or two. Check your nitrate and phosphate levels too, if they are elevated, the Cyano will continue to thrive. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

08/16/2009, 09:25 PM	#6
bms270 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 243	Thanks all, so I guess its clear that its not bubble algae, my nitrate is about 20ppm, other than WC what else I could do to control this specific cyano bacteria? __________________ "I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it." Current Tank Info: 225G Mixed Reef

08/16/2009, 09:28 PM	#7
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	You could get a bigger skimmer, run a phosban reactor (probably the cheapest and easiest way) or start dosing something like vodka, but I probably don't recommend the latter for a beginner. __________________ Ryan

08/16/2009, 08:32 PM	#2
cham Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 3,632	Cyano bacteria. Get your nutrients under control.

08/16/2009, 09:46 PM	#8
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	What you have is CyanoBacteria. Not bubble algae. Bubble algae are round and green. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water flow. Add or redirect your powerheads. You need a good water movement in the tank. Here are 2 GREAT articals on CyanoBacteria. http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288 http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm __________________ 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

08/16/2009, 10:23 PM	#9
bms270 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 243	Great! Thanks everyone for the comments and guides. __________________ "I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it." Current Tank Info: 225G Mixed Reef