Dang... Bubble Algae

cherokee_dude · Jul 10, 2009

So, I found a single BA on a zoa frag that's been in my tank for a while

First one ever for me (This tank's been setup for over 2 years)

So what's the plan? Should I move to a QT and Burst it? Try to pick it off?
How worried should I be that I'm not seeing the full problem yet?
I looked around and do not see any others...

The Nomad · Jul 10, 2009

They are quite easy to pick off without bursting them. They are pretty hard.

firsttime · Jul 10, 2009

you should be able to try to pull it with out bursting. If you have to burst it then I would suggest you to bring it out of the water and burst it , clean it and put it back...I have not faced it but I am guessing this should be a good route

reefpeeper · Jul 10, 2009

just pick it off

Reef Pets · Jul 10, 2009

Take it out of the tank and pick it off. After you pick it off rinse the frag in a cup of your tank water. I have had bubble algae for a while now. It can be a pain in the rear but typically critters keep it at bay.

Bio-nut · Jul 10, 2009

Follow the advice of Gary. You don't want to burst that in your tank I fought this for years and finally won with the enlistment of a Disjardini tang and tons of yank and scrub session. It might be worth it if it spreads to add a uv sterilizer.

cherokee_dude · Jul 10, 2009

Great! Thanks for the advice! I 'll also be adding a UV sterilizer anyhow

Azurel · Jul 11, 2009

That stuff can be a PITA if it gets out of control.......

cherokee_dude · Jul 11, 2009

That's why I'm ticked...
I always do QT/O on corals going into the DT, Always.
Anyone know the rule on proliferation? ie... If you see one, you've probably got; a few hundred, couple thousand... no hope left!?

Azurel said:
That stuff can be a PITA if it gets out of control.......

afboundguy · Jul 11, 2009

I've always had great sucess with some rigid airline tubing and making it sharp on one end and poping them with it while at the same time sucking out the spores...

Azurel · Jul 11, 2009

I had a Sailfin tang that would eat this stuff like candy....But the only problem is I think the tang eating it actually made the situation worse now that there is nothing eating them. I have it all over and can't seem to get rid of it no matter what I do....SO I have been siphoning it out when I do water changes. I use an inch diameter plastic tubing to do water changes and suck detritus off the rocks and I will bust the large ones and clusters off the rocks with the tubing and suck it up into a bucket....So far it has seemed to be working as I don't have as much.....

You will only have this stuff if it pops in your tank, just a bubble here or there on a frag plug doesn't mean you will eventually have 100's.....Just be diligent like it sounds you have been.....They are pretty tough so you can scrape them off with out breaking them....Good luck, I would rather have bubble algae then caulerpa any day..