Bubble Algea idea!

mbmikebray · 05/08/2013, 06:50 AM

Would it be possible to use a syringe to pierce the larger bubbles and suck the contents into the syringe? and how do you purchase a syringe without a prescription? I have tried without success. Has anyone tried this? or would the bubble split open and expel its contents into the water if I attempt using a syringe?

Sk8r · 05/08/2013, 08:21 AM

NOt a bad idea, but don't worry too much about the contents getting into your water. You'll note people recommending mithrax crabs to eat the stuff, and in the same breath telling people not to pop the bubbles. I assure you mithrax crabs pop the bubbles (and aren't near that efficient at eating the stuff either.) It's one 'seasonal' algae that happens in new tanks, usually right after hair algae, it does its thing for a while, and then goes away on its own, apparently having run out of whatever it likes. I'd say concentrate on perfecting your water chemistry, do some water changes, and be patient with it. I find visitors often believe it's a particularly pretty coral.

saltyair · 05/08/2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

NOt a bad idea, but don't worry too much about the contents getting into your water. You'll note people recommending mithrax crabs to eat the stuff, and in the same breath telling people not to pop the bubbles. I assure you mithrax crabs pop the bubbles (and aren't near that efficient at eating the stuff either.) It's one 'seasonal' algae that happens in new tanks, usually right after hair algae, it does its thing for a while, and then goes away on its own, apparently having run out of whatever it likes. I'd say concentrate on perfecting your water chemistry, do some water changes, and be patient with it. I find visitors often believe it's a particularly pretty coral.

LOL so true - had a guy try to sell me a rock with a few mushrooms and full, I mean full of bubble algae - telling me it was a coral, told me were to place it and how it liked low flow. he had been feeding it lmao. Thank god I did research (only 3 months in the hobby at the time) and knew better.

just lower all the NO3 and PO4 you should be fine - just don't let it out of control.

TankStudy · 05/08/2013, 08:53 AM

I've tried popping them with a small syringe needle... its a little interesting. The bubble algae is actually pretty tough though.

cloak · 05/08/2013, 01:39 PM

Just manually remove as much as you can right before a water change. Don't worry about popping them. If you do this on a regular basis, (weekly/bi weekly) you should be able to beat them. GL.

mbmikebray · 05/08/2013, 03:42 PM

Thank you for your replies, they seem to be getting bigger and are more noticeable due to increased numbers, I will remove them by hand as much as possible and hope sk8r is correct and they eventually decline with time.

Grnrado · 05/08/2013, 05:49 PM

My bubble algae never declined over time. The best removal is to not pop them but use a scalpel and cut at the very base where it attaches to the rock and suck them out. If you do pop them you just spread spores throughout your tank.

cloak · 05/08/2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grnrado

The best removal is to not pop them but use a scalpel and cut at the very base where it attaches to the rock and suck them out. If you do pop them you just spread spores throughout your tank.

This is a myth IME.

Good luck with that scalpel...

SushiGirl · 05/09/2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

This is a myth IME.

Good luck with that scalpel...

+1

We're waiting out the "after hair algae" bubble algae outbreak right now in our 20L. The "seasonal" statement is spot on, too...we have it in all 3 tanks right now. The emerald definitely pops them to eat them, I have pics LOL.

KafudaFish · 05/09/2013, 08:01 AM

If popping them spread them everytime then crabs would never be able to keep up and control them.

05/08/2013, 06:50 AM	#1
mbmikebray Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 183	Bubble Algea idea! Would it be possible to use a syringe to pierce the larger bubbles and suck the contents into the syringe? and how do you purchase a syringe without a prescription? I have tried without success. Has anyone tried this? or would the bubble split open and expel its contents into the water if I attempt using a syringe? __________________ 95g with 29g 3 section sump with skimmer/ref/return.

05/08/2013, 08:21 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	NOt a bad idea, but don't worry too much about the contents getting into your water. You'll note people recommending mithrax crabs to eat the stuff, and in the same breath telling people not to pop the bubbles. I assure you mithrax crabs pop the bubbles (and aren't near that efficient at eating the stuff either.) It's one 'seasonal' algae that happens in new tanks, usually right after hair algae, it does its thing for a while, and then goes away on its own, apparently having run out of whatever it likes. I'd say concentrate on perfecting your water chemistry, do some water changes, and be patient with it. I find visitors often believe it's a particularly pretty coral. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/08/2013, 03:42 PM	#6
mbmikebray Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 183	Thank you for your replies, they seem to be getting bigger and are more noticeable due to increased numbers, I will remove them by hand as much as possible and hope sk8r is correct and they eventually decline with time. __________________ 95g with 29g 3 section sump with skimmer/ref/return.

05/08/2013, 08:53 AM	#4
TankStudy Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 242	I've tried popping them with a small syringe needle... its a little interesting. The bubble algae is actually pretty tough though.

05/08/2013, 01:39 PM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Just manually remove as much as you can right before a water change. Don't worry about popping them. If you do this on a regular basis, (weekly/bi weekly) you should be able to beat them. GL.

05/08/2013, 05:49 PM	#7
Grnrado Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 85	My bubble algae never declined over time. The best removal is to not pop them but use a scalpel and cut at the very base where it attaches to the rock and suck them out. If you do pop them you just spread spores throughout your tank.

05/09/2013, 08:01 AM	#10
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	If popping them spread them everytime then crabs would never be able to keep up and control them.