Bubble algae and my crab

JVH · May 14, 2015

So I heard If you want to get rid of green bubble algae get an emerald crab. Well I have an emerald crab and I wondered If that's why the left side of my tank has no bubbles. He lives on the left side in a series of rocks and I barley see him or any algae on that side of the tank..

So yesterday I got another one because the right side of my tank has lots of bubble algae and I noticed about 20 bubbles and clusters growing where I would need to dismantle the rocks (That's not happening till the upgrade!)

So I put my new crab (which is 2xs the size of the other guy) on the right side on a rock with a big bubble and lucky me, he fell about 1/4" away from the bubble and within 2 minutes it was gone! By this morning I no longer have a bubble algae issue! He ate ALL the bubbles over night! I love when a plan comes together!
Me=1 algae =ZERO!:rockon::rockon:

JFrar · May 14, 2015

Wow, I am developing a bubble algae issue in my system... Might try a couple emeralds, I've always had bad luck with them and end up throwing them in the dump or back to lfs. They always bug my coral

hart24601 · May 14, 2015

Dang... I have bubbles and so far the crabs have been slacking. Jealous....

JFrar · May 14, 2015

In the sump** lol

JVH · May 14, 2015

JFrar said:
Wow, I am developing a bubble algae issue in my system... Might try a couple emeralds, I've always had bad luck with them and end up throwing them in the dump or back to lfs. They always bug my coral

Well I was reluctant since I already had a crab but after thinking about how I have no bubbles on the left side where the small crab has been living for 4 month it adds up! I do believe I got lucky dropping he new guy next to a bubble and sort of jumped started it!

JVH · May 14, 2015

JFrar said:
In the sump** lol

LOL I read that twice and thought OMG!!:rant:
Then I realized you meant Sump!

Bensadork · May 14, 2015

JVH said:
LOL I read that twice and thought OMG!!:rant:
Then I realized you meant Sump!

HAHA! I almost lit this dude a new one for throwing a perfectly healthy and alive animal into the dump. I'm no PETA member by any means but thats just wrong lol.

JVH · May 14, 2015

Bensadork said:
HAHA! I almost lit this dude a new one for throwing a perfectly healthy and alive animal into the dump. I'm no PETA member by any means but thats just wrong lol.

LOL! We all love living things or we wouldn't be tis invested!

LetItReef · May 14, 2015

JVH said:
So I heard If you want to get rid of green bubble algae get an emerald crab. Well I have an emerald crab and I wondered If that's why the left side of my tank has no bubbles. He lives on the left side in a series of rocks and I barley see him or any algae on that side of the tank..

So yesterday I got another one because the right side of my tank has lots of bubble algae and I noticed about 20 bubbles and clusters growing where I would need to dismantle the rocks (That's not happening till the upgrade!)

So I put my new crab (which is 2xs the size of the other guy) on the right side on a rock with a big bubble and lucky me, he fell about 1/4" away from the bubble and within 2 minutes it was gone! By this morning I no longer have a bubble algae issue! He ate ALL the bubbles over night! I love when a plan comes together!
Me=1 algae =ZERO!:rockon::rockon:

Cool. What Corals do you have? I read that Emerald picks on Corals. Thanks!

JVH · May 14, 2015

LetItReef said:
Cool. What Corals do you have? I read that Emerald picks on Corals. Thanks!

I have a hammer coral, different kinds of mushrooms, Kenya tree, Zinia , lots of Zoa's.. So far nothing has been messed up and occasional a frag might wind up on the sand But now I have a frag tree on the glass and so far things remain where I put them !

JFrar · May 14, 2015

Auto correct ..lol ....

I'd be worried about some of my sps/lps my tank has quite a bit... My tank is also about 8 years old so I'd imagine there should be enough food sources to not worry about the emerald... I might try and grab a couple this weekend and just watch them

dball711 · May 14, 2015

JFrar said:
Wow, I am developing a bubble algae issue in my system... Might try a couple emeralds, I've always had bad luck with them and end up throwing them in the dump or back to lfs. They always bug my coral

Im guessing you meant the "sump" not dump...if you get more, get the ones with the smaller claws. The larger ones are usually males and those are the ones I see go after my sticks (they get banished).

JVH · May 14, 2015

JFrar said:
Auto correct ..lol ....

I'd be worried about some of my sps/lps my tank has quite a bit... My tank is also about 8 years old so I'd imagine there should be enough food sources to not worry about the emerald... I might try and grab a couple this weekend and just watch them

I don't know if this is helpful or hurtful but....but original emerald was really small. Still is and I never see him! This new guy is 2xs the size! His body is the bigger than a quarter and he has huge claws! I seem to be able to watch him where ever he goes! Bigger may not necessarily be better but he wont disappear!

SALTHEAD · May 14, 2015

Buble algae and astrea starfish eradicator, 500mw laser

GOOD DAY,

I had some bubble algae show up near five months ago. It was growing in areas that I could not get to short of seeing it through the glass on the backside of the tank. i could not take the rock out of the tank and clean it because of an annenomie living in it. It was not possible to vacuum out and scrape the rock because it was against the glass. So I decided to invest in a 5000mw 450nm laser to deal with the problem and wow how well it worked. When I light the bubble algae up after about 30 seconds it turns a milky white and is dead at that point. In doing this I believe some spores get loose in the tank and set up shop again in a different area, but not all of them. Treating the tank whenever I see one show its head I zap it immediately. Now I am to the pointe where I will see one maybe two each week in the tank. A lot better than seeing a few hundred of them in my tank. The best part is not disturbing my tank. I only have three fish in my tank at this point, a blackcap basslet and two dart fish and I have not seen any problems with damage to their eyes from using the laser. I of course need to wear special goggles not to hurt my eyes. That was my worst fear is to harm them but seems not to bother them in any.
If you have the need for further information and or have any comments please contact me. I will be happy to listen or share.
My tank is a 90-gallon display, 80-gallon sump, 55-gallon isolated and elevated refugium. A Neptune Apex to monitor and control the tank. It is 13months of age now and doing just fine.

JVH · May 15, 2015

SALTHEAD said:
GOOD DAY,

I had some bubble algae show up near five months ago. It was growing in areas that I could not get to short of seeing it through the glass on the backside of the tank. i could not take the rock out of the tank and clean it because of an annenomie living in it. It was not possible to vacuum out and scrape the rock because it was against the glass. So I decided to invest in a 5000mw 450nm laser to deal with the problem and wow how well it worked. When I light the bubble algae up after about 30 seconds it turns a milky white and is dead at that point. In doing this I believe some spores get loose in the tank and set up shop again in a different area, but not all of them. Treating the tank whenever I see one show its head I zap it immediately. Now I am to the pointe where I will see one maybe two each week in the tank. A lot better than seeing a few hundred of them in my tank. The best part is not disturbing my tank. I only have three fish in my tank at this point, a blackcap basslet and two dart fish and I have not seen any problems with damage to their eyes from using the laser. I of course need to wear special goggles not to hurt my eyes. That was my worst fear is to harm them but seems not to bother them in any.
If you have the need for further information and or have any comments please contact me. I will be happy to listen or share.
My tank is a 90-gallon display, 80-gallon sump, 55-gallon isolated and elevated refugium. A Neptune Apex to monitor and control the tank. It is 13months of age now and doing just fine.

I didn't realize there was a laser option.. So far I doing great with the crab!

NanaReefer · May 15, 2015

I just make a very very thick Kalk paste. Turn off all flow and cover the Bibble Algae clusters. Let sit for 5-10min before turning flow back on. Leave alone till next water change, siphon out paste, bubble algae cluster completely gone.
Emeralds are to much hit or miss for me.

JFrar · May 15, 2015

Well I have emeralds on trial now, my lfs said he picked females to be less likely of any trouble but who knows... I'll let yall know... I'm thinkin it's a 50/50 shot

JFrar · May 15, 2015

I'll end up doing the kalk if this doesn't work... Is just rather a natural animal take care of the problem.. We'll see

chaoha · May 16, 2015

I've had emeralds and it was hit or miss. I had a one spot rabbit fish that kept my bubble algae in check when it died the algae came back. I got another rabbit fish and the bubble algae is under control

JVH · May 16, 2015

Well I thought maybe I Just got lucky and the crab was hungry and I just put him in the perfect spot! Well I noticed him on th other side of the tank and he was going after another bubble! I am happy he's eating th but j think he could be spreading some spores possibly too!
I better learn that kalk recipe'