Bubble algae removal?

kv69 · Dec 23, 2015

So, I got some free bubble algae on some frags a while back and thought I had manually removed it, only to find out I would be chasing it for forever....

Just as think I'm winning the war I notice it in my display tank.

The display is under construction so the 2 rocks that are quickly becoming overrun I am going to pull out and manually remove the bubble algae with the scalpel.

Will a quick freshwater dip help before going back in the display?

Any other advice would be helpful, as well. Thanks

LiveWire · Dec 23, 2015

Emerald crabs will help with bubble algae. I have also read that not breaking open the bubble algae when you remove it will also help as once you break them open they release more algae spores.

redfishbluefish · Dec 23, 2015

Make a bubble algae wand. A length of stiff tubing attached to soft tubing. Cut the tip of the rigid tubing at an angle to make a sharp tip. When doing a water change, start by using your wand to pierce and suck out the bubble algae.

Reef kid · Dec 23, 2015

Emerald crabs are hit and miss, I think I got lucky, I had a couple bubbles of it in my 75 and once we got an emerald they dissapeared. I got rid of a lot of it by pulling the rock out, filling a bucket with freshwater and just plucking them into there because the spores would wash out into the freshwater, at least it seemed to be what happened because I could never pluck them off without popping them, tho rock was to sharp.

Reefing Madness · Dec 23, 2015

kv69 · Dec 23, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
Make a bubble algae wand. A length of stiff tubing attached to soft tubing. Cut the tip of the rigid tubing at an angle to make a sharp tip. When doing a water change, start by using your wand to pierce and suck out the bubble algae.

I made the bubble algae wand with left over rod and tube. 3 sizes pieced together, worked like a charm. Thanks again for the solid advice @redfishbluefish and @Reefing Madness

We have incoming 60 mph storms in my neck of the woods... time to lock everything down.