Bubble algae taking over

[Modell]

I’ll try to explain this as clear as I can. I have bubble algae throughout my 72 gallon bow front. I have a couple rocks - one with Xenia and one with green star polyps. I want to move the corals into my 125 gallon, but obviously I don’t want the bubble algae coming with it. These are the first corals I’ve ever had and they are growing very well. But I don’t know how to move them. How can I move them - with rocks or not? Thanks. Coral newbie.

 

[Quietman]

Both of those corals are pretty resilient. If I had to move before resolving the issue - I would remove the coral and place on plug/rock at let it grow out.

If you want to move all of it with rock included, scrub rock as best you can, swap on some H2O2 (diluted) onto the bubble algae areas.

Be prepared to treat bubble algae if you see it show up in new tank - Vibrant works very well on bubble algae (my experiences were less for other algaes). Not sure you can clean a GSP patch completely without destroying it.

Ideally, I would treat old tank before moving, but understand wanting to get things moved and set up and waiting weeks for a clean tank may not be feasible. Again, those corals are tough, you should be able to remove large pieces and re-attach.

I left off emerald crabs as never have had them (used Vibrant) but if that's your thing - put one/two in new tank.

 

[Modell]

I don’t have to be in a hurry to move them. What would be the best way to treat the tank to get rid of the bubble algae? Thanks.

 

[Mark Gray]

I don’t have to be in a hurry to move them. What would be the best way to treat the tank to get rid of the bubble algae? Thanks.

Emerald crabs but not all seem to eat bubble algae, Vibrant also seems to work well, but can cause Cayno

 

[siggy]

Emerald crabs did it for me. BA was just starting, I added 3 and in a month it was gone or unnoticeable.
Others swear by vibrant. Personally I would start the new tank clean, Xena an BSP are cheap corals.
Good luck with the new system

 

[saltyhog]

I wish I could loan you my Gold Rim tang....he loves bubble algae. In the tiny crevices that he can't reach though the emerald crabs have eliminated it from my display completely (at least to the naked eye). However, if I lift the cover off of my overflow there is bubble algae galore.

I'm not sure why emerald crabs don't always work for others. Maybe it's because where they're collected is important or some other factor is in play. I will say that Reef Cleaners guarantees their emerald crabs to eat bubble algae and that's where I got mine.