New Frag With bubble algea

johnc43113 · 01/03/2010, 10:06 AM

I picked up a nice sinularia frag that had about 5 algea bubbles on it. What is the best I can do to deal with it? I heard that I can't pop them. Can they spread?

Thanks.

Chiefsurfer · 01/03/2010, 10:09 AM

yes, they most certainly can spread. The best way to take care of them if they are on a frag, and not in your tank, is try and grab the bubble softly, grabbing near where it attaches to the rock, and pull it out by it's base. Then scrub with a tooth brush, then rinse in water that will never touch your system.

Reefugee · 01/03/2010, 10:17 AM

Yes - they can spread. If you cam remove the frag from the tank, then take it out. Then using your finger, try to remove the bubble algae without popping it. If you pop it, it's not a big deal. If need to, use a pin to remove any algae particle you can't remove with your fingers. Put some of your tank water into a cup and rinse the frag a few time. I found that this usually slow down the spread of bubble algae. IMO, there are certain pests that no mater what you do, you will eventually get it (if you stay in the hobby for long enough). Bubble algae just happens to be one of them. I do what I can to slow down the spread of them, and use some biological ways to control them in my display tank.

Minh

Frick-n-Frags · 01/03/2010, 10:22 AM

^ yup, green bubbles are really tough. if they arent embedded in a nook, you should be able to gently roll them loose. lookk close for smaller ground hugging valonia species too.

johnc43113 · 01/03/2010, 10:49 AM

I can take it out and get the bubbles off. This may be wrong but can I push the frag in the sand and cover with sand? I'm assuming no...

trb · 01/03/2010, 03:55 PM

The few that I've had (like less than 5) I have been able to carefully scrape off the rock with an X-Acto knife or razor blade, removing a small amount of the rock with the bubble, or just cut off the part of the rock with some nippers. As long as you can get the bubble out without it popping, you should be OK. Of course removing the rock and then doing it would be the best option.

I have an emerald crab also, but I haven't seen him touch any of the bubbles like they supposedly do.

Good luck!

Chiefsurfer · 01/03/2010, 08:37 PM

john, whether or not you can pus the frag into the sand depends on the coral. Some corals get irritated by sand, some get irritated by rock. So you MIGHT be able to push it into the sand. Even if it likes sand versus rock, I would not try and cover the base of the frag with sand.

sedor · 01/03/2010, 08:45 PM

I never had much luck with my emerald crab going after bubble algae either.

johnc43113 · 01/04/2010, 08:43 AM

I'm going to try to scrape them off when I get home tonight. It is a Sinulara

spleify · 01/04/2010, 09:10 AM

Yep just pull the frag and take them off, swish the frag around in a cup of water and put the frag back.

Easy, and no big deal

Good luck

kclewis · 01/04/2010, 09:44 AM

i have always had really good luck with emerald crabs and bubble algae. The only problem is they would never quite eat all of it to maintain the food source.

Plan>B · 01/04/2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefugee

Yes - they can spread. If you cam remove the frag from the tank, then take it out. Then using your finger, try to remove the bubble algae without popping it. If you pop it, it's not a big deal. If need to, use a pin to remove any algae particle you can't remove with your fingers. Put some of your tank water into a cup and rinse the frag a few time. I found that this usually slow down the spread of bubble algae. IMO, there are certain pests that no mater what you do, you will eventually get it (if you stay in the hobby for long enough). Bubble algae just happens to be one of them. I do what I can to slow down the spread of them, and use some biological ways to control them in my display tank.

Minh

+1... but also a good time to consider a QT

01/03/2010, 10:06 AM	#1
johnc43113 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Circleville, OH Posts: 109	New Frag With bubble algea I picked up a nice sinularia frag that had about 5 algea bubbles on it. What is the best I can do to deal with it? I heard that I can't pop them. Can they spread? Thanks.

01/03/2010, 10:22 AM	#4
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	^ yup, green bubbles are really tough. if they arent embedded in a nook, you should be able to gently roll them loose. lookk close for smaller ground hugging valonia species too. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

01/03/2010, 08:45 PM	#8
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I never had much luck with my emerald crab going after bubble algae either. __________________ Ryan

01/04/2010, 09:10 AM	#10
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Yep just pull the frag and take them off, swish the frag around in a cup of water and put the frag back. Easy, and no big deal Good luck __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

01/03/2010, 10:09 AM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	yes, they most certainly can spread. The best way to take care of them if they are on a frag, and not in your tank, is try and grab the bubble softly, grabbing near where it attaches to the rock, and pull it out by it's base. Then scrub with a tooth brush, then rinse in water that will never touch your system.

01/03/2010, 10:17 AM	#3
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,105	Yes - they can spread. If you cam remove the frag from the tank, then take it out. Then using your finger, try to remove the bubble algae without popping it. If you pop it, it's not a big deal. If need to, use a pin to remove any algae particle you can't remove with your fingers. Put some of your tank water into a cup and rinse the frag a few time. I found that this usually slow down the spread of bubble algae. IMO, there are certain pests that no mater what you do, you will eventually get it (if you stay in the hobby for long enough). Bubble algae just happens to be one of them. I do what I can to slow down the spread of them, and use some biological ways to control them in my display tank. Minh

01/03/2010, 10:49 AM	#5
johnc43113 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Circleville, OH Posts: 109	I can take it out and get the bubbles off. This may be wrong but can I push the frag in the sand and cover with sand? I'm assuming no...

01/03/2010, 03:55 PM	#6
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	The few that I've had (like less than 5) I have been able to carefully scrape off the rock with an X-Acto knife or razor blade, removing a small amount of the rock with the bubble, or just cut off the part of the rock with some nippers. As long as you can get the bubble out without it popping, you should be OK. Of course removing the rock and then doing it would be the best option. I have an emerald crab also, but I haven't seen him touch any of the bubbles like they supposedly do. Good luck!

01/03/2010, 08:37 PM	#7
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	john, whether or not you can pus the frag into the sand depends on the coral. Some corals get irritated by sand, some get irritated by rock. So you MIGHT be able to push it into the sand. Even if it likes sand versus rock, I would not try and cover the base of the frag with sand.

01/04/2010, 08:43 AM	#9
johnc43113 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Circleville, OH Posts: 109	I'm going to try to scrape them off when I get home tonight. It is a Sinulara

01/04/2010, 09:44 AM	#11
kclewis REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beautiful Bargersville, IN Posts: 383	i have always had really good luck with emerald crabs and bubble algae. The only problem is they would never quite eat all of it to maintain the food source.