Bubble algae !! Help!!

[Jaybeastin]

My tank is getting infested with bubble algae!! Seen a few on the pumps and I regret not cleaning it immediately! Now it’s taking over my rocks. I tried scrapping it off but it’s more difficult then I thought it would be.

I dose 2x of reflux and did absolutely nothing to the bubble algae!


please help! I was told not to use vibrant as people keep suggesting.

 

[Lavey29]

Get a couple pitho crabs

 

[Jaybeastin]

Get a couple pitho crabs

Can they clear out a large amount of bubble algae ?

 

[ROB2005]

To be honest with you my fellow reefer, manual cleaning is gonna be the way to go. It’s a PITA but those things proliferate faster than the crabs will eat them. Avoid popping them and have some sw prepped for water changes, and decrease feedings and lighting period if possible. Took me 4 months of battle these buggers nonstop and haven’t seen them since.

 

[Lavey29]

Can they clear out a large amount of bubble algae ?

I've heard they perform well but manual removal is still critical. I pull some out everyday here and there. I've even recently watched my scarlet hermits eating it too.

 

[killer2001]

I don't know about you but popping bubble algae is one of my reefing pleasures.

 

[Jaybeastin]

To be honest with you my fellow reefer, manual cleaning is gonna be the way to go. It’s a PITA but those things proliferate faster than the crabs will eat them. Avoid popping them and have some sw prepped for water changes, and decrease feedings and lighting period if possible. Took me 4 months of battle these buggers nonstop and haven’t seen them since.

Can I scrub it off while pooping in a separate container?? Picking it off we’ll take forever lol

 

[PNW_squidz]

Can I scrub it off while pooping in a separate container?? Picking it off we’ll take forever lol

Pop them all you want.

 

[4nreefer]

In the past when I had bubble algae infestation, I got a couple of emerald crabs and they knocked it out.
Manual removal and emerald crabs would do the trick.
Once the job is done, I'll advice to keep an eye out on the crabs as they might munch on some corals. Some people have luck with them, I've personally haven't. After they clear my bubble algae, without fail they start to attack the corals. I usually take them off to the fuge area or give them out.

 

[Jaybeastin]

In the past when I had bubble algae infestation, I got a couple of emerald crabs and they knocked it out.
Manual removal and emerald crabs would do the trick.
Once the job is done, I'll advice to keep an eye out on the crabs as they might munch on some corals. Some people have luck with them, I've personally haven't. After they clear my bubble algae, without fail they start to attack the corals. I usually take them off to the fuge area or give them out.

I had emerald crabs and they went after my corals instead lol

 

[4nreefer]

I had emerald crabs and they went after my corals instead lol

Those guys are opportunist... That's the risk with emeralds. With me, I usually lucked out in that, they'll usually go after the bubble algae more than they would the coral until there's no more algae.
If you willing to take the risk it and watch to see the health of the of the coral, they might irritate the coral a bit but eventually (like in my case) would wipe out the bubble algae. The key is to keep an eye on the corals.

 

[Jaybeastin]

Less then halfway done smh this rough

 

[Jason_MrFrags]

Manual removal, reducing nutrients in system, fish that likes to eat it

 

[jabberwock]

Can I scrub it off while pooping in a separate container?? Picking it off we’ll take forever lol

So are you doing all of this while sitting on a bucket? I am confused...

 

[Pistondog]

I've heard they perform well but manual removal is still critical. I pull some out everyday here and there. I've even recently watched my scarlet hermits eating it too.

They do perform well. My guy was a brute.

 

[Jaybeastin]

So are you doing all of this while sitting on a bucket? I am confused...

Yes , pulled off the rock and place is it in a bucket full of salt water and starting picking it off. A lot easier imo a syphon is horrible. First method I tried

 

[Lavey29]

They do perform well. My guy was a brute.

For some reason I can't keep emerald alive. I think one of my fish is whacking them. They just disappear in my tank. All my other inverts no issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My tank is getting infested with bubble algae!! Seen a few on the pumps and I regret not cleaning it immediately! Now it’s taking over my rocks. I tried scrapping it off but it’s more difficult then I thought it would be.

I dose 2x of reflux and did absolutely nothing to the bubble algae!


please help! I was told not to use vibrant as people keep suggesting.

Skip the reef flux which is an alternative and not solution and has caused issues for many tanks.
Take a small needle and have 3/8 tubing ready and attach to end of tubing with rubber band and pop each one and siphon at same time- You will have removed all spores and foreign material in area.
Had to do this in the past with birdsnest coral and was gone 100%.
Other option is to add pitho crabs or emerald crabs (which I do not trust) which will eat them

 

[gbroadbridge]

You will have removed all spores and foreign material in area.

For goodness sake, there are no spores.

It's a myth, a wives tale, something we tell children to stop them eating candy, whatever.

 

[vetteguy53081]

For goodness sake, there are no spores.

It's a myth, a wives tale, something we tell children to stop them eating candy, whatever.

Over the last 30 tears its been a question and of debate but yet many have seen hundreds in a large system. They dont lay eggs- so what is the answer?