how to get rid of bubble algae?

wampuscat · 02/02/2008, 10:59 AM

Could someone help me out with my the bubble algae problem? I have heard that the hermit crabs will help. Is this true? Any help would be greatly appreciated?

Kemo484 · 02/02/2008, 11:04 AM

I've had luck with emerald crabs, but they don't always work. The best would be manually removing it.

Obi-dad · 02/02/2008, 11:24 AM

I've never had luck with emerald crabs or any other creature (my blue-lined rabbitfish will eat it, but only if it is floating around). So I use a siphon hose going into a filter sock in the sump to siphon them while I pry them off with a knife. They come off the rock easily (at least the species I have). What a nuisance, but the only way I have found to control them. I have tried many different emerald crabs because people keep saying they work, but all they ever do in my tank is pick at the coralline algae - i think the anecdotes about them eating the bubble algae may be due to them picking at the rock where the bubble algae is and people thinking they are eating the bubble algae...but I have my doubts about whether they really eat it.

Bambalam · 02/02/2008, 01:47 PM

I had an Emerald Crab and never seen it eat BA (also called Valonia algae). I agree with both posters above about manually removing it, but be sure not to pop the bubbles - this will release spores that reproduce, thus making more bubble algae. HTH

Felixc · 02/05/2008, 07:59 AM

Manual removal is not a bad idea if you just a have a few large ones. I am battling a huge problem, every rock (150lb) has atleast 1/3 covered in this weed, ranging from 2mm to 15mm. I had 4 purple and 6 yellow tangs that did not put a dent into it. The tank is fully stock with encrusted sps, therefore corals cannot be removed to get to the bubbles. I don't know what to do anymore. I wish there was a true predator that would eliminate these things.

PoukieBear · 02/05/2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bambalam
be sure not to pop the bubbles - this will release spores that reproduce, thus making more bubble algae. HTH

This isn't always true. I've popped several large bubbles in a cpuple of my tanks by accident while trying to remove them.

After they were all removed, I never had another problem with more bubble agea appearing in the tank. I think that most people worry too much about the spores, when they aren't really as big of a deal as we have made it out to be.

rlm2005 · 02/05/2008, 09:16 AM

Emeralds are a hit or miss when it comes to eating bubble algae. I would manually remove them, it's easy and quick. As for releasing spores, in order to eat the bubble algae an emerald crab would need to pop the bubble to consume it. I've never had a problem by popping a few. I've never had it overtake my tank.

02/02/2008, 10:59 AM	#1
wampuscat Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lakeland, fl Posts: 374	how to get rid of bubble algae? Could someone help me out with my the bubble algae problem? I have heard that the hermit crabs will help. Is this true? Any help would be greatly appreciated?

02/02/2008, 11:24 AM	#3
Obi-dad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: CT Posts: 4,314	I've never had luck with emerald crabs or any other creature (my blue-lined rabbitfish will eat it, but only if it is floating around). So I use a siphon hose going into a filter sock in the sump to siphon them while I pry them off with a knife. They come off the rock easily (at least the species I have). What a nuisance, but the only way I have found to control them. I have tried many different emerald crabs because people keep saying they work, but all they ever do in my tank is pick at the coralline algae - i think the anecdotes about them eating the bubble algae may be due to them picking at the rock where the bubble algae is and people thinking they are eating the bubble algae...but I have my doubts about whether they really eat it. __________________ Greg, member of ARKSC and CTARS Visit our CTARS club website by clicking my RC name then 'visit homepage' - and please support your LFS Current Tank Info: 75g mostly stonies. DIY LEDs (24 CW XP-G, 48 RB XR-E) on dwizum CAT4101 drivers, DIY Hydra controller, SSB, Korallin Ca Reactor, Euroreef skimmer

02/02/2008, 11:04 AM	#2
Kemo484 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 158	I've had luck with emerald crabs, but they don't always work. The best would be manually removing it.

02/02/2008, 01:47 PM	#4
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	I had an Emerald Crab and never seen it eat BA (also called Valonia algae). I agree with both posters above about manually removing it, but be sure not to pop the bubbles - this will release spores that reproduce, thus making more bubble algae. HTH

02/05/2008, 07:59 AM	#5
Felixc Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: AB Posts: 408	Manual removal is not a bad idea if you just a have a few large ones. I am battling a huge problem, every rock (150lb) has atleast 1/3 covered in this weed, ranging from 2mm to 15mm. I had 4 purple and 6 yellow tangs that did not put a dent into it. The tank is fully stock with encrusted sps, therefore corals cannot be removed to get to the bubbles. I don't know what to do anymore. I wish there was a true predator that would eliminate these things.

02/05/2008, 09:16 AM	#7
rlm2005 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Diego Area Posts: 432	Emeralds are a hit or miss when it comes to eating bubble algae. I would manually remove them, it's easy and quick. As for releasing spores, in order to eat the bubble algae an emerald crab would need to pop the bubble to consume it. I've never had a problem by popping a few. I've never had it overtake my tank.