bubble algae

[firefishred]

Is there away to control bubble algae without manually taking it off the live rocks or buying a tang?

[papagimp]

One common attempt at bubble aglae control would be the use of the emerald crabs. But theyd on't always eat it. I bought about 6 before I got one that would, but once he started, I havn't had a problem since. Another good way to control while still having to manual remove them would be to have a wellstocked macroalgae refugium on your system. The macroalgae in conjunction with manuall removing the stuff, will help keep it from coming back. The macro will take up the nutrients that would otherwise be used by the bubble algae.

[theatrus]

Having clear water actually doesn't effect bubble algae much - its able to thrive in perfectly clean nitrate and phosphate "free" water.

Some Emeralds will eat it. Larger tanks (90+) may be able to stock a Foxface Rabbitfish, which has a chance of eating it.

For your tank, carefully remove the bubbles manually, and add an emerald crab.

[doadster]

I took some a small tubing and vacuumed them right up. Also my long spine black urchin thinks there real tastey.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/155533urchin1.jpg

[tewkes]

I've had great sucess with the emeralds eating the bubbles. I have two in my 50gallon and one small one in my 24AP and the bubble algae that was there before them has dissapeared within days.

[firefishred]

do emeralds harm smaller fish? such as gobies and cleaner gobies

[szwab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10453185#post10453185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefishred
do emeralds harm smaller fish? such as gobies and cleaner gobies

generally no but they have been known to pick at some corals.

[firefishred]

Stoney, Soft or all?

[shortlegjj]

emeralds always worked for me.
they also like to hang out in my birdsnest though

[szwab]

sps

[firefishred]

just bought 1 Emeralds crab!! I hope its hungry!! How many can you have in a 25 gallon? Will they turn on each other?

[mfp4073]

I think I have been having good results from using joes juice on them.

[pitt_prodigy]

I had some that came on my LR when i bought it.... back before i knew what it was i thought "GREAT.... a free-be." Then it started to spread... but i just carefully plucked off the bubbles and tossed em. Just make sure you dont break them open when your removing them or it can spread.

[szwab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10464868#post10464868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mfp4073
I think I have been having good results from using joes juice on them.

on bubble algea? or aptasia?

[mfp4073]

bubble algae. Try it and let me know. Every indication I have is that it kills the spore.

[theatrus]

I've tried the kalk paste/joes juice method and it does actually work. You need to let the paste sit on them for about an hour+, but by the next day they'll be clear/dead and no new bubbles sprouting underneath.

[mfp4073]

Yeah, thats what I have gotten. first day, green shrinks inside and is visible at the base (bubble is still full size). Over the next day it "deflates" a little. During the next several days it whithers and goes away.

[blenny100]

I periodically remove the stuff. I have a couple of tangs and bought an emerald crab. None of these guys ever ate any algae ...

[szwab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10466794#post10466794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mfp4073
bubble algae. Try it and let me know. Every indication I have is that it kills the spore.

I would if I had some to try it on :lol:




















J/k I have plenty of "test subjects" We'll see what happens to them this weekend :)