Nuisance bubble algae

Mike de Leon · 01/15/2007, 11:34 AM

How does one get rid of the stuff. I used to only have a couple. It's now starting to propagate....Any thoughts pls will be appreciated.

frederickk · 01/15/2007, 11:47 AM

Don't do anything inside the tank because they will propagate more. Best thing to do is to take your LR out of the tank and scrub in a tub.

The Valonia algae is very difficult to get rid of.

jasper24 · 01/15/2007, 12:20 PM

Take out the rock and peel off what you can. Then dip it in "clean" salt water and put it back in the tank. I also took my water change sypon hose and cut 1 end to a point. When doing water changes I will use the pointed end to scrape off any that I see. If they pop the spores get sucked out this way.

Mike de Leon · 01/15/2007, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the replies fellas. I have corals growing on the rocks and will be a challenge to do, but it can be done. This means I have to scrub off all that is visible, right?
I've also heard that Foxface eats the stuff, do you know if it's true?
thx.

rooroo · 01/15/2007, 02:47 PM

I carefully prune during water changes. I pick off the larger bubbles and siphon them into the waste bucket. I added two emerald crabs that are supposed to eat this stuff but neither have touched it to my knowledge. If I can get to the rock I remove it and pick it all off. Toothpicks work great for prying the bubbles off.

dperrucc · 01/15/2007, 03:52 PM

I have the same problem for the third time,ready to go fish only.If scrub bubbles from rock they will probably be in the overflow.I started with two bubbles now I have two million..Can never get completely rid-of..IMO..

ACBlinky · 01/15/2007, 06:11 PM

I feel your pain, sometimes the bubbles get out of hand. I've got Botryocladia (red bubble algae) growing absolutely out of control -- it's all over the tank, in the fuge, on the rockwork, and covering pumps, the heater, the mag-float... it's phenomenal how fast it's reproducing and spreading. Because I have other macros I want to keep, I don't really want to try a foxface or tang (this may change in time). PO4 and NO3 are undetectable, so I'm not really sure what to do. At this point I rely on manual removal which is a weekly PITA. I scrape, scrub, siphon, and it's always a step ahead of me. Best of luck

Lyscer · 01/15/2007, 06:16 PM

I was reading in "The Reef Aquarium" and I came across a part that says:

"One the smaller species of acanthurid reaching only 20cm (8 inches). Acanthurus japonicus is well suited to aquarium life, but does best in systems with plenty of swimming room. This species loves to eat bubble algae (Ventricaria and Valonia spp.)
J.C Delbeek"

I have never tried it or searched for evidence supporting it so I have no idea. Anyone have a Acanthurus Japonicus and have bubble algae?

Hope this helps some.

Mike de Leon · 01/16/2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lyscer
I was reading in "The Reef Aquarium" and I came across a part that says:

"One the smaller species of acanthurid reaching only 20cm (8 inches). Acanthurus japonicus is well suited to aquarium life, but does best in systems with plenty of swimming room. This species loves to eat bubble algae (Ventricaria and Valonia spp.)
J.C Delbeek"

I have never tried it or searched for evidence supporting it so I have no idea. Anyone have a Acanthurus Japonicus and have bubble algae?

Hope this helps some.

Are you talking about a Gold Rim Tang? Would the behaviour be any different than a PBT? I have a PBT now in the qt.

I do not have this algae all over the tank just yet but have them on a number of rocks on the top. I am actually thinking of removing the rocks, scrubbing them and washing them with hot tap water. I am also thinking of maybe chipping off parts of the rock that have them...

Lyscer · 01/16/2007, 05:24 PM

That is a good question! Let us know how the PBT does. My friend has bubble algae all over his tank and is thinking about getting a PBT so I am interested to see how it does.

stormquest2112 · 01/16/2007, 05:48 PM

I recently bought a Convict Tang and it is slowly wiping out all the Red bubble algae that was takng over my tank. I just love this fish, it stays fairly small and it likes to school with my chromis'

Mike de Leon · 01/16/2007, 06:19 PM

Lyscer,

Unfortunately, the PBT will not be going in the tank for a while. I am planning on emptying the tank of all fish and leaving it fallow to get rid of the Ich that's in it. I had a 90 gal qt that the bottom cracked on me. Luckily, it was in the basement and beside a drain. It happened on a weekend during the day so I was able to save all the livestock that's in it. Now I have to get another 90 gal to house all of the fish. Long story...

Mike de Leon · 01/16/2007, 07:20 PM

.

escape2theocean · 01/16/2007, 08:14 PM

I bought a gold rim tang right around Christmas, he hasnt touched any of my green bubble alge. Theres plenty for him to chose from too....

smatter · 01/16/2007, 08:15 PM

One of the Earth's largest unicellular organisms, and they require pristine water to thrive.

kappaknight · 01/16/2007, 09:22 PM

Well, it's good to know I got pristine water then... =)

stormquest2112 · 01/17/2007, 09:22 AM

Well, I have had this Convict Tang for a week now and he has the red bubble algae totally under control.

Before I bought him I was worried that the bubbles would take over the tank. Now I am wondering what he will eat in a couple of weeks. I am sure the bubble algae will never be completely eradicated so he will always find something to eat.

Mithrax crabs were a waste of time and only at my Xenia.

RyanM · 01/17/2007, 10:46 AM

Ive never had a real bad out break of it but what I have had I let grow to the size of a marble then just picked of the rock. Scrubbing them off just breaks them up and the spores get everywhere. Even if you take the rock out and scrubb in a bucket your spreading them on your live rock to grow again once put back in.

JC2005 · 01/17/2007, 02:58 PM

I have a Red Sea Sailfin tang that just loves the stuff. I have had him for about a year now and has it under control.

Mike de Leon · 01/18/2007, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smatter
One of the Earth's largest unicellular organisms, and they require pristine water to thrive.

Man! we just can't win!

Bidadari · 01/18/2007, 10:08 AM

I used to have PBT, but never saw him picking at bubble algea.

Mike de Leon · 01/18/2007, 06:32 PM

>

01/15/2007, 11:34 AM	#1
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Nuisance bubble algae How does one get rid of the stuff. I used to only have a couple. It's now starting to propagate....Any thoughts pls will be appreciated.

01/15/2007, 02:44 PM	#4
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Thanks for the replies fellas. I have corals growing on the rocks and will be a challenge to do, but it can be done. This means I have to scrub off all that is visible, right? I've also heard that Foxface eats the stuff, do you know if it's true? thx. __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

01/15/2007, 06:11 PM	#7
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I feel your pain, sometimes the bubbles get out of hand. I've got Botryocladia (red bubble algae) growing absolutely out of control -- it's all over the tank, in the fuge, on the rockwork, and covering pumps, the heater, the mag-float... it's phenomenal how fast it's reproducing and spreading. Because I have other macros I want to keep, I don't really want to try a foxface or tang (this may change in time). PO4 and NO3 are undetectable, so I'm not really sure what to do. At this point I rely on manual removal which is a weekly PITA. I scrape, scrub, siphon, and it's always a step ahead of me. Best of luck __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

01/15/2007, 06:16 PM	#8
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	I was reading in "The Reef Aquarium" and I came across a part that says: "One the smaller species of acanthurid reaching only 20cm (8 inches). Acanthurus japonicus is well suited to aquarium life, but does best in systems with plenty of swimming room. This species loves to eat bubble algae (Ventricaria and Valonia spp.) J.C Delbeek" I have never tried it or searched for evidence supporting it so I have no idea. Anyone have a Acanthurus Japonicus and have bubble algae? Hope this helps some. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

01/16/2007, 05:24 PM	#10
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	That is a good question! Let us know how the PBT does. My friend has bubble algae all over his tank and is thinking about getting a PBT so I am interested to see how it does. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

01/15/2007, 11:47 AM	#2
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	Don't do anything inside the tank because they will propagate more. Best thing to do is to take your LR out of the tank and scrub in a tub. The Valonia algae is very difficult to get rid of.

01/15/2007, 12:20 PM	#3
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	Take out the rock and peel off what you can. Then dip it in "clean" salt water and put it back in the tank. I also took my water change sypon hose and cut 1 end to a point. When doing water changes I will use the pointed end to scrape off any that I see. If they pop the spores get sucked out this way.

01/15/2007, 02:47 PM	#5
rooroo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Market, MD Posts: 406	I carefully prune during water changes. I pick off the larger bubbles and siphon them into the waste bucket. I added two emerald crabs that are supposed to eat this stuff but neither have touched it to my knowledge. If I can get to the rock I remove it and pick it all off. Toothpicks work great for prying the bubbles off.

01/15/2007, 03:52 PM	#6
dperrucc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: phila.,pa Posts: 83	I have the same problem for the third time,ready to go fish only.If scrub bubbles from rock they will probably be in the overflow.I started with two bubbles now I have two million..Can never get completely rid-of..IMO..

01/16/2007, 05:48 PM	#11
stormquest2112 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 189	I recently bought a Convict Tang and it is slowly wiping out all the Red bubble algae that was takng over my tank. I just love this fish, it stays fairly small and it likes to school with my chromis'

01/16/2007, 06:19 PM	#12
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Lyscer, Unfortunately, the PBT will not be going in the tank for a while. I am planning on emptying the tank of all fish and leaving it fallow to get rid of the Ich that's in it. I had a 90 gal qt that the bottom cracked on me. Luckily, it was in the basement and beside a drain. It happened on a weekend during the day so I was able to save all the livestock that's in it. Now I have to get another 90 gal to house all of the fish. Long story... __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

01/16/2007, 07:20 PM	#13
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	. __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

01/16/2007, 08:14 PM	#14
escape2theocean Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 91	I bought a gold rim tang right around Christmas, he hasnt touched any of my green bubble alge. Theres plenty for him to chose from too....

01/16/2007, 08:15 PM	#15
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	One of the Earth's largest unicellular organisms, and they require pristine water to thrive.

01/16/2007, 09:22 PM	#16
kappaknight Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 319	Well, it's good to know I got pristine water then... =) __________________ Creator of RareZoanthids.com \| @zoanthids on Twitter

01/17/2007, 09:22 AM	#17
stormquest2112 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 189	Well, I have had this Convict Tang for a week now and he has the red bubble algae totally under control. Before I bought him I was worried that the bubbles would take over the tank. Now I am wondering what he will eat in a couple of weeks. I am sure the bubble algae will never be completely eradicated so he will always find something to eat. Mithrax crabs were a waste of time and only at my Xenia.

01/17/2007, 10:46 AM	#18
RyanM Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Owego Ny. Posts: 677	Ive never had a real bad out break of it but what I have had I let grow to the size of a marble then just picked of the rock. Scrubbing them off just breaks them up and the spores get everywhere. Even if you take the rock out and scrubb in a bucket your spreading them on your live rock to grow again once put back in. __________________ Imagine all the people living life in peace. "John Lennon" Current Tank Info: 120 reef 3x250wMH Octopus NW-200 Skimmer

01/17/2007, 02:58 PM	#19
JC2005 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 107	I have a Red Sea Sailfin tang that just loves the stuff. I have had him for about a year now and has it under control.

01/18/2007, 10:08 AM	#21
Bidadari Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 312	I used to have PBT, but never saw him picking at bubble algea.

01/18/2007, 06:32 PM	#22
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	> __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions