Can I replace all liverock?

AzReefn · Oct 22, 2018

Sorry if this the wrong place to post this but here goes...
My tank is approx 2 years old and about 6 months ago I got a zoa frag that ended up having bubble algae on it. I do dip all my frags but unfortunately i don't have the means for a quarantine tank. I've been battling the bubbles ever since. Every week I use a 3/8 id poly tube to suck out everything I can with all flow devices off and it seems to always be more bubbles every week. This is getting exhausting and I don't know what to do? I tried Vibrant RC and my blasto almost died right after (it's still recovering) so I quit using it fearing I may lose corals, also tried 3 emerald crabs (all died in 3 weeks).
My lfs has life rock that's supposed to have sprayed on bacteria, can I toss all my live rock and replace with life rock? Can i use chemipure and dr tims after to controll ammonia spikes.
All the algae is on the rock, nowhere else that I've seen except on a few snails that I just toss out.
90g display
30g sump
Chaeto
Skimmer
Carbon/gfo reactor (just started gfo)
Params are always near perfect
I do 25g water change weekly

1 small yellow tang
2 cardinals
2 clarkii clowns
1 small watchman goby
1 small mandarin dragonet

Lots of snails - cuc

sfin52 · Oct 22, 2018

Changing all lr at once will cause ammonia and nitrite spikes.

Even though you don't see the bubble algea spores are prob in sand and sump.

I'm sure somebody on here will have solid answers on the cure for your problem.

cracker · Oct 23, 2018

I feel your pain ! Iv'e been battleing Bubble for years. Good luck.

Nopy117 · Oct 23, 2018

Maybe try reef flux? (Flucananzole)

Rakie · Oct 23, 2018

Here's how you remove all LR at once

1) Add a Significant amount of bio media (I like Seachem Matrix, Sechem De-Nitrate medias myself)
2) Dose a lot of bacteria for 3-4 months to make the media densely filled with bacteria

Emphasis on 3-4 months it takes time... As is, I've had Seachem Matrix in my sump for awhile, I removed 2 year old LR for brand new (cycled/cured) live rock with no issue at all. And I'm probably going to do it again soon, as i'm changing my scape most likely

Coralreefer1 · Oct 23, 2018

If you replace your live rock with CURED live rock, I think that a spike in ammonia and nitrites would not be substantial enough to cause serious problems. IF you replace your live rock with UNCURED live rock then you are opening up the potential for inferior water parameter issues ie. elevated ammonia and nitrite levels which can possibly lead to a spiraling out of control problem, for your livestock.

AzReefn · Oct 24, 2018

Thanks for the replys, my messages were turned off so I wasn't aware of them.
I'm good with curing new rock but i really want to get all the rock out asap. Is there no way to keep my livestock healthy for a couple months without any rock in my tank? 50% water changes weekly, chemi pure, bio spira....anything?

Oshengems · Oct 24, 2018

Even though you will go through the trouble you will probably have spores laying somewhere in your sump, power head, glass, sand just about anywhere, I was very ticked when I obtain a dirty frag luckily I picked up the aptesia but the Bubble algea was in there already. It kinda doesn’t even bother me anymore I did try several emeral crabs none would take a bite read somewhere that males are the ones that eat it and the 4th one I made sure was a male and he’s mows it down still one in a 75g is not enough to keep it out of sight but he’s decent for his size so I would see a patch here and there but he will eventually get to it. Foxface are also good at eating this and mostly any type of algea if your tank is big enough

Coralreefer1 · Oct 24, 2018

Without your liverock, which acts most importantly as ideal biological filtration, you run the risk of throwing your water parameters out of whack. You have reduced a lot of your beneficial filtration without allowing bacteria(both aerobic and anaerobic)to react to and increase to handle your bioload. Water changes and mechanical filtration will help plus the biological filtration in your substrate.
The other problem you will experience is with the removal of your rock, your livestock will become stressed due to their home being uplifted, so to speak, plus shelter and hiding spaces are removed.

AzReefn · Oct 24, 2018

Thanks again for the replys!
I've also heard Naso's eat it but I already have a yellow tang and my tank isn't big enough for a Naso. Hmm, definitely a bummer. Not sure what I'm gonna do. I probably couldn't even give my corals away cause I wouldn't want to spread this to anyone else's tank as spores are probably on them also. I may end up getting another slightly smaller tank and start out fresh. After cycling move my fish over, hopefully they don't have the spores too. Keep it fowler for a while and after 4-6 months start adding new corals...maybe.
I can't believe in this day and age no one has come up with anything that kills bubble algae. Sad, to potentially get rid of all my corals : (

Oshengems · Oct 24, 2018

Don’t get discouraged with a lil bubble when try a male emerald crab and see how it works for you, Foxface are also good at eating bubble algae, how bad is the plaque ?