bubble algae?

merek123 · 08/20/2009, 01:35 PM

Recently I have started to have random spots where Bubble algae is popping up. I've read that if it is not controled it could spread all over the tank and that if you pop one then it will definitally spread. So how do I saftely remove it. Will anything eat it? Thank you

jlemoine2 · 08/20/2009, 01:42 PM

From what I understand, foxface rabbit fish will eat it. If you don't have room for one, emerald crabs will pick at it, but are not effective for large outbreaks. Water quality can play a role in keeping it under control as well.

I had a nasty outbreak of it in my 10 gallon nano. Several emerald crabs kept it from getting worse. Eventually my corals won the battle for space and simply grew over the bubble algae, then my problem went away.

More corals, STAT!

Toddrtrex · 08/20/2009, 01:42 PM

Some have had good luck with emerald crabs eating it (( myself included )) whereas others haven't.

While they still will grow in a low nutrient tank, they do seem to grow faster the worse the water conditions are. So improving the water will help slow down the spread, and allow you to get a handle on them.

IME, the bigger ones are the ones that you don't want to pop, the smaller ones seem to be ok. This is just from me popping them outside the tank -- smaller ones had clear liquid inside them, whereas the large ones had greenish liquid and what appeared to be spores in them.

I use long tweezers to get the few that I have out of the tank, and do my best to not pop them. I try to make sure I get to them when they are still small, so that if I do pop one is isn't as bad.

merek123 · 08/20/2009, 01:56 PM

I guess I made that sound bad. I only have maybe 5 bubbles in my 125. my water parameters are perfect but I do over feed and vodka dose. My fish eat in the morning and I spot feed my corals in the evening. Are they easy to pluck with tweezers? How easily do they pop? I do have emerald green crabs in there but they are rarely seen and I'm not sure that I care for them b/c they are destructive little bulldozers.

08/20/2009, 01:35 PM	#1
merek123 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bayfield CO Posts: 56	bubble algae? Recently I have started to have random spots where Bubble algae is popping up. I've read that if it is not controled it could spread all over the tank and that if you pop one then it will definitally spread. So how do I saftely remove it. Will anything eat it? Thank you

08/20/2009, 01:42 PM	#2
jlemoine2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 200	From what I understand, foxface rabbit fish will eat it. If you don't have room for one, emerald crabs will pick at it, but are not effective for large outbreaks. Water quality can play a role in keeping it under control as well. I had a nasty outbreak of it in my 10 gallon nano. Several emerald crabs kept it from getting worse. Eventually my corals won the battle for space and simply grew over the bubble algae, then my problem went away. More corals, STAT! __________________ -James Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef w/ 40 gallon frag tank.

08/20/2009, 01:42 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Some have had good luck with emerald crabs eating it (( myself included )) whereas others haven't. While they still will grow in a low nutrient tank, they do seem to grow faster the worse the water conditions are. So improving the water will help slow down the spread, and allow you to get a handle on them. IME, the bigger ones are the ones that you don't want to pop, the smaller ones seem to be ok. This is just from me popping them outside the tank -- smaller ones had clear liquid inside them, whereas the large ones had greenish liquid and what appeared to be spores in them. I use long tweezers to get the few that I have out of the tank, and do my best to not pop them. I try to make sure I get to them when they are still small, so that if I do pop one is isn't as bad. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/20/2009, 01:56 PM	#4
merek123 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bayfield CO Posts: 56	I guess I made that sound bad. I only have maybe 5 bubbles in my 125. my water parameters are perfect but I do over feed and vodka dose. My fish eat in the morning and I spot feed my corals in the evening. Are they easy to pluck with tweezers? How easily do they pop? I do have emerald green crabs in there but they are rarely seen and I'm not sure that I care for them b/c they are destructive little bulldozers.