Bubble Algae

[Hallowhead]

Howdy,

I need a better way to fight bubble algae... Every time I do a water change I cut out bubbles and leave the siphon over the bubbles to avoid any spores from spreading. This isn't helping as bubbles are forming EVERYWHERE.

I know emerald crabs help however, I am nervous with all my corals as well as not sure they'd be able to keep up.

Are there any other options?

 

[Bbfishb81]

Emerald crabs are reef safe, and they do clean up bubble algae. You might have to starve the tank a few days, if they know they are gonna get fed, they wont go looking for food.

 

[rvlcf]

You can use Vibrant. It might take a while, but it will get rid of it.

 

[Auquanut]

I've had good luck with emerald crabs, but they are definitely a hit or miss proposition. I've kept them for a long time and had no problems other than stealing food from the nems. I have seen a lot of horror stories of emeralds tearing up LPS and softies. I've read where others have had success using vibrant. Never used it myself though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The problem is cutting bubbles. Once ruptured, it releases spores which become new ones, hence the battle yourare currently facing.
My best success was use of liquid Vibrant which absorbs the algae within shrinks it and turns it white.

 

[Hallowhead]

The problem is cutting bubbles. Once ruptured, it releases spores which become new ones, hence the battle yourare currently facing.
My best success was use of liquid Vibrant which absorbs the algae within shrinks it and turns it white.

Maybe I'll use vibrant and one closely watched emerald crabs..

Any side effects of vibrant?

 

[stanleo]

I have three emerald crabs in my 120 gallon and haven't seen bubble algae in months. Haven't had any issues with them attacking corals or anything else.

 

[rvlcf]

Maybe I'll use vibrant and one closely watched emerald crabs..

Any side effects of vibrant?

I think there can be. There is a huge thread on Vibrant here that you might want to look at.

 

[Hallowhead]

I have three emerald crabs in my 120 gallon and haven't seen bubble algae in months. Haven't had any issues with them attacking corals or anything else.

Good to know, thanks

 

[Hallowhead]

I think there can be. There is a huge thread on Vibrant here that you might want to look at.

Can you link me

 

[rvlcf]

Can you link me

i can't find it, but I put Vibrant in the search and there are a lot of posts.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Maybe I'll use vibrant and one closely watched emerald crabs..

Any side effects of vibrant?

I dosed it in two tanks at 80% of recommended with Zero issues or affects

 

[Hallowhead]

I dosed it in two tanks at 80% of recommended with Zero issues or affects

Did you run anything special ? Or anything additional ?

 

[Thales]

itnis a common misconception that there are spores in the bubbles.

 

[Hallowhead]

itnis a common misconception that there are spores in the bubbles.

Any facts on this ?

 

[Vinman]

A good-sized Foxface will devour it

 

[Thales]

Any facts on this ?

Yes. I’ll try to fond it when I get home. Do you have any support that there are spores in the bubbles?

 

[vetteguy53081]

itnis a common misconception that there are spores in the bubbles.

Yes, spores. Couldn't think of name

 

[vetteguy53081]

Did you run anything special ? Or anything additional ?

I removed carbon - nothing else

 

[flsalty]

itnis a common misconception that there are spores in the bubbles.

Correct. There are no spores in bubble algae. It's a one celled organism that reproduces by cell division. A quick google search will confirm this (ignoring the incorrect posts in all the forums).