Bubble algae removal

nodak · 12/09/2018, 10:35 AM

Need some advice. I have several pieces of LR in my frag tank that are now covered with bubble algae. Was wondering if it safe to just pull the rock scrub off the algae and spray with hydrogen peroxide. I know this works with different algae but will this help control future outbreaks?

Natereef · 12/09/2018, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodak

Need some advice. I have several pieces of LR in my frag tank that are now covered with bubble algae. Was wondering if it safe to just pull the rock scrub off the algae and spray with hydrogen peroxide. I know this works with different algae but will this help control future outbreaks?

If its not too much then just pluck em out with tweezers.

jlmawp · 12/10/2018, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natereef

If its not too much then just pluck em out with tweezers.

I did this when I had a bit of an outbreak. I was careful not to pop too many of them as I removed them. After removal under a light outside the tank, I dipped the rocks into new saltwater to rinse off any remnant "juices". That water was disposed of, obviously. I still get some here and there like everyone else, but that removal method worked surprisingly well.

Xandernfs · 12/10/2018, 02:19 PM

I've watched my emerald crab eat mine.

Reincarnate · 12/11/2018, 07:17 PM

I'm not sure how often you do water changes, but before you do so manually remove as much as you can. You can get rid of these bubbles MUCH faster than they can reproduce. Staying ahead of them is key. GL.

reefteaser · 12/13/2018, 08:52 AM

Manual removal works best if you can remove the rock and rinse it after plucking them off, then return. Helps to keep the spores from escaping IMO. This and adding a few Emerald crabs. I rarely find bubbles anymore.
I started an algae scrubber a few months ago too. I’m not sure if it helped this particular issue, but it has slowly improved my other algae troubles.

David MC Lee · 01/19/2019, 06:17 PM

My purple tang would eat mine.

Green Chromis · 01/20/2019, 08:19 AM

Vibrant works really well on Bubble Algae as well, no need to remove the rock. Try it you will like the results, but it will take a few months for it to work.

mcgyvr · 01/20/2019, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodak

Need some advice. I have several pieces of LR in my frag tank that are now covered with bubble algae. Was wondering if it safe to just pull the rock scrub off the algae and spray with hydrogen peroxide. I know this works with different algae but will this help control future outbreaks?

Yes you can totally scrub/soak in peroxide for a fast solution

Vibrant also works very well but can take weeks/months to slowly rid the tank of it..

billdogg · 01/20/2019, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Yes you can totally scrub/soak in peroxide for a fast solution

Vibrant also works very well but can take weeks/months to slowly rid the tank of it..

I tried manual removal in my 120DT, but despite my best efforts couldn't get on top of it. As a last resort, I started dosing Vibrant at 2x suggested amount (I don't like dosing mystery stuff) and saw no difference for several weeks, and then it just started turning white and going away. I'm now about 1 year BA free, and continue to dose (at 1x) about monthly as insurance.

If it's on easily removable rocks, take them out, scrub them off, and drench them in H2O2 for about 10 minutes then dip in clean saltwater before returning them to your tank.

ChronicReefH2o · 01/20/2019, 04:07 PM

Best thing to do is to remove as much BBA as you can and get "Female" emerald crabs to do the clean up. In a week or so (or if you spot more sooner) I would get in there and pull as much as I could out. This will help reduce the amount of BBA you have in the tank.

12/09/2018, 10:35 AM	#1
nodak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North Dakota Posts: 118	Bubble algae removal Need some advice. I have several pieces of LR in my frag tank that are now covered with bubble algae. Was wondering if it safe to just pull the rock scrub off the algae and spray with hydrogen peroxide. I know this works with different algae but will this help control future outbreaks?

01/20/2019, 08:19 AM	#8
Green Chromis Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: miami,florida Posts: 640	Vibrant works really well on Bubble Algae as well, no need to remove the rock. Try it you will like the results, but it will take a few months for it to work. __________________ Natural Reefer Current Tank Info: 600 gallon Carribean Reef System, ETSS Protein Skimmer, 1.5HP Tradewinds Chiller, Reef Breeders Photon V2+ LED Lighting For The Refugium, Mitra LX7206 LED Lights For Display Tank

12/10/2018, 02:19 PM	#4
Xandernfs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: STL Posts: 730	I've watched my emerald crab eat mine.

12/11/2018, 07:17 PM	#5
Reincarnate Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 122	I'm not sure how often you do water changes, but before you do so manually remove as much as you can. You can get rid of these bubbles MUCH faster than they can reproduce. Staying ahead of them is key. GL.

12/13/2018, 08:52 AM	#6
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	Manual removal works best if you can remove the rock and rinse it after plucking them off, then return. Helps to keep the spores from escaping IMO. This and adding a few Emerald crabs. I rarely find bubbles anymore. I started an algae scrubber a few months ago too. I’m not sure if it helped this particular issue, but it has slowly improved my other algae troubles.

01/19/2019, 06:17 PM	#7
David MC Lee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South of Springfield IL. Posts: 1,645	My purple tang would eat mine.

01/20/2019, 04:07 PM	#11
ChronicReefH2o Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: South SoCal Posts: 61	Best thing to do is to remove as much BBA as you can and get "Female" emerald crabs to do the clean up. In a week or so (or if you spot more sooner) I would get in there and pull as much as I could out. This will help reduce the amount of BBA you have in the tank.