Bubble algae question

[ytsejam02]

I have a 2" acan resting on my substrate with bubble algae on it. If I dipped it, would that get rid of the algae? I've pulled it out and tried to dispose of he bubbles outside the tank, but they came back.

Thoughts?

On a side note, oddly, I just noticed today I have a few PINK bubble algae attached to a single empty small shell. Ive removed it, but was surprised by both the color and it's existence. No idea where it came from.

 

[Blitzie]

Dipping it will not work.
You have to address the source

Here is a good article
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php

 

[SandJ]

The red bubble algae is harder to control. I would remove both kinds asap, without popping the bubbles in the water if possible.

I like to use a piece of rigid air line with a tube attached as a syphon hose. That way I can use the rigid airline to dislodge it and if it happens to pop the syphon will hopefully remove the spores and prevent it from spreading.

Also you can cut away part of the frag plug or rock it was growing on to possibly remove any that are just starting to grow.

 

[ytsejam02]

The red bubble algae is harder to control. I would remove both kinds asap, without popping the bubbles in the water if possible.

With the green algae, that's a problem, since it's attached to the skeleton of the acan I mentioned.

Any ideas?

 

[pecan2phat]

Maybe consider adding some small emerald crabs.

 

[Blitzie]

Maybe consider adding some small emerald crabs.

+1

 

[ytsejam02]

Here's the little bit of pink bubble algae I removed.

 

[SandJ]

With the green algae, that's a problem, since it's attached to the skeleton of the acan I mentioned.

Any ideas?

Oops, did not realize it was on the skeleton. Ugh, the only thing I could think of is maybe put a think layer of super glue over the area if it is not in a place where it can affect the flesh of the coral.

 

[ytsejam02]

Oops, did not realize it was on the skeleton. Ugh, the only thing I could think of is maybe put a think layer of super glue over the area if it is not in a place where it can affect the flesh of the coral.

That sounds worth a shot. Think I should pop them first? Outside the tank of course...

 

[GoJimmy]

I had bubble algae on the base of my elegance coral. I removed from the tank, carefully removed the bubble algae by hand and very carefully brushed hydrogen peroxide with a q tip just on the skeleton part avoiding the flesh. It has not come back and it's been more than 6 weeks now. Worked for me

 

[acer]

Take the Acan out of tank and scrap the buble Algae off it ,use something with a hard plastic edge. Then use tank water in a small bucket with a power head to rinse it. Even if u damage the Acan a bit, it will recover. You could try a Mithrax crab , but mixed results are reported and chances are it will also danage the coral. Seems that physical removal of bubke algae works best.

Lol, others posting as well. I like the idea of superglue over tge damaged area and the use of peroxide.

 

[kb1094]

Emerald crabs will be your best bet, add a couple of them. Also, try to scrape as much as you can from the corals. Don't do it in the tank because if it explodes inside, more will appear.

 

[ytsejam02]

I took it out and used a tiny chisel. Took out as much as I could tell. It was a deep crevice. I superglued over it and put it where I can easily keep an eye on it. If I see it start to come back, emerald crabs are next.

Thx everyone!

 

[ytsejam02]

Ok, so the glue didn't work. The bubble algae had a harder time coming back, but it's still there.

So, I think I want to go with an emerald crab, but I'm a little hesitant.

I have two small bubble algae outbreaks, and for whatever reason, they are on the base of two of my acans, one of which I'm fairly fond of.

My concern and question to the group is, how big a risk would it be that, assuming the crab finds the algae and eats it, that he might decide my acan looks tasty as well, if only because it's right there?

 

[Ari21]

I don't think emerald grabs will bother coral but every crag is different and there is always a risk.