Giving up...

Jaybeastin · Jul 5, 2023

I'm battling with bubble algae and coral death.... been in the hobby for over 3 years and I'm finally about to call it quits.

For my bubble algae I've tried reeflux with no luck and hand removal but there's just too much. I tried emerald crab with no luck. I bought a foxface for as last ditch of attempt.

My torches and hammers are dying and I don't know why? I do weekly and bi weekly water changes with redsea blue bucket.

Redsea 350 90G with 2 XR15 gen 5

Here's my current parameters

PH 8.1 API
ALK 8.9 HANNA
CAL 450 REDSEA
Magnesium 1450 REDSEA
Nitrate 10 PPM Salifert
Phosphate .15 HANNA

Can anyone help me? or else im thinking about converting the tank into a fancy goldfish tank LOL

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jul 5, 2023

bubble algae once caused by to close my tanks and put me out of the hobby for a years, so I know your frustration.

I think a rip clean might be the best solution, but its hard work. No easy solution, but i wish you good luck.

Jaybeastin · Jul 5, 2023

LordofCinder said:
bubble algae once caused by to close my tanks and put me out of the hobby for a years, so I know your frustration.

I think a rip clean might be the best solution, but its hard work. No easy solution, but i wish you good luck.

I just bought a wired brush... going to start scrapping them off. Its really tough to scrub it out with flathead

Nano_Man · Jul 5, 2023

Don’t give up you will eventually miss the reef. We have all had losses and they do your head in but just keep moving forward. The members will point you in the right direction. And in a few months you could have an amazing reef with no problems and you can sit back and enjoy it that is supposed to be what the hobby is about . We’ve all been were you are right now tunnel vision to a problem . The members on r2r have outstanding knowledge and they are willing to help you. Don’t pack in

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jul 5, 2023

A rip clean is done in seperate conainers, you have to pull the rocks and sand, clean them both and then put back into the tank. Its hard work but the tank is completely pest free afterwards.

@brandon429 can help with the process and he has lots of evidence that it does work. I've done it myself, so I know it works.

Reef Psychology · Jul 5, 2023

Man same thing with me 15 years ago. It covered everythin. Had to rig a hose from the display through a filter sock into the sump and scrape bubble algae off the rocks for an hour. Then took out the top pieces of rock and scrubbed it clean with bristle brush for another 20 min. Then I got 5 emerald crabs and two fox faces, added many pods, and 2 sea urchin. After a couple of months of doing this every week it came under control. Also reduced nutrient levels as much as possible and changed 20% water weekly. Learned that very little eats full grown bubbles but many things eat them wen they are tiny.

I now quarantine all corals and fish for at least a months. The QT tank for Cora; has bumblebee snails, emerald crab, six-line wrasse, hermits, and random snails. The plugs and corals are dipped, scrubbed and observed under a jewelers loop every few days. dont have any pests in my tanks except vermetid snails these days.

Jaybeastin · Jul 5, 2023

Nman said:
Don’t give up you will eventually miss the reef. We have all had losses and they do your head in but just keep moving forward. The members will point you in the right direction. And in a few months you could have an amazing reef with no problems and you can sit back and enjoy it that is supposed to be what the hobby is about . We’ve all been were you are right now tunnel vision to a problem . The members on r2r have outstanding knowledge and they are willing to help you. Don’t pack in

Thanks bro! Like you said I think I might have to scrub everything and clean the wipe out the sand

Jaybeastin · Jul 5, 2023

LordofCinder said:
A rip clean is done in seperate conainers, you have to pull the rocks and sand, clean them both and then put back into the tank. Its hard work but the tank is completely pest free afterwards.

@brandon429 can help with the process and he has lots of evidence that it does work. I've done it myself, so I know it works.

I might do this… sounds like it requires a lot of time. My toddler might have something to say lol

chipchipbro · Jul 5, 2023

bubble algae.. had also to deal with an outbreak.
ever since I added a foxface the issue is solved

Nano_Man · Jul 5, 2023

Jaybeastin said:
Thanks bro! Like you said I think I might have to scrub everything and clean the wipe out the sand

Well if that’s the case look at the bigger picture and that you are just improving your tank now instead of later if you are doing a strip down Brendon429 is very knowledgeable as are other members good luck . keep looking forward

shadow_k · Jul 5, 2023

LordofCinder said:
A rip clean is done in seperate conainers, you have to pull the rocks and sand, clean them both and then put back into the tank. Its hard work but the tank is completely pest free afterwards.

@brandon429 can help with the process and he has lots of evidence that it does work. I've done it myself, so I know it works.

I can confirm rio clean works , rip cleaning my 20 gallon was the best decision I ever made. I ripped clean when I had Dino’s/cyano and once again when I had a bubble algae infestation