Is this bubble algae?

[bluecheese]

I just noticed this in my tank. It’s a small patch, but once I noticed it, I realized there are small patches in other places in the tank.

Can anyone ID, and possibly provide a fix?

125 gallon tank (115 gallons total water volume). Tank has been up and running since August 2021.

Parameters:
Salinity 1.025
pH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 2.2
Phosphate 0.03
Mg 1280
Calcium 490
Alk 9.4

Lights:
Current USA Marine Orbit LED strips
4 T5HO bulbs.

 

[PocketGoose]

Sure is - quite a few options including manual removal, peroxide spot treatments, and emerald crabs. I'm sure there's other methods as well.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Yep bubble algae

 

[Jekyl]

One spot fox face cleared mine up if size allows

 

[Cthulukelele]

One spot fox face cleared mine up if size allows

My one spot foxface also ate the minimal amount I had in a 24 hour period when it was first added. Seems like one of their favorite foods

 

[bluecheese]

So Emerald Crabs. I've heard that they can go after corals too.

Foxface, I've heard that they will nip at corals.

 

[Lavey29]

Welcome to the bubble club.

 

[Cthulukelele]

So Emerald Crabs. I've heard that they can go after corals too.

Foxface, I've heard that they will nip at corals.

Foxface and emerald crabs both occasionally nip corals. Foxface that are well-fed rarely nip coral, but it can happen. Emerald crabs are usually more commonly a problem ime.

 

[bluecheese]

Welcome to the bubble club.

Is there a secret handshake I need to learn?

 

[Jekyl]

So Emerald Crabs. I've heard that they can go after corals too.

Foxface, I've heard that they will nip at corals.

Never seen in my tank.

 

[PocketGoose]

So Emerald Crabs. I've heard that they can go after corals too.

Foxface, I've heard that they will nip

Really depends on the individual. I've never had any issues with emeralds.

 

[bluecheese]

Doing some googling, removal seems to be the first line of defense. I'm going to try to remove the algae during the next water change on Monday. I'll brush it off the rocks and syphon it out. Right now I'm seeing 5 spots with bubble algae (and I'm aware there are probably more I can't see). I'll try this before introducing anything into the tank.

 

[PocketGoose]

Any chance you can remove the afflicted rocks? That way you can prevent spreading it further. Manual removal coupled with a spot peroxide treatment outside the tank would probably work great.

 

[bluecheese]

Any chance you can remove the afflicted rocks? That way you can prevent spreading it further. Manual removal coupled with a spot peroxide treatment outside the tank would probably work great.

I could probably remove one of the rocks. The rest were placed in the tank before the sand was put it, and some are glue to other rocks.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Doing some googling, removal seems to be the first line of defense. I'm going to try to remove the algae during the next water change on Monday. I'll brush it off the rocks and syphon it out. Right now I'm seeing 5 spots with bubble algae (and I'm aware there are probably more I can't see). I'll try this before introducing anything into the tank.

This is a fair strategy, but just be prepared that it WILL be back. There's no real question of that. If you're willing to periodically do the cleaning though it's controllable. Idk of a single person who attempted manual removal of bubble algae after seeing several patches on their main rockwork and successfully fully eliminated from their system.

 

[Lavey29]

Is there a secret handshake I need to learn?

Nah we are a friendly all inclusive club with many many members. You will make lots of new friends here.

 

[Lavey29]

Doing some googling, removal seems to be the first line of defense. I'm going to try to remove the algae during the next water change on Monday. I'll brush it off the rocks and syphon it out. Right now I'm seeing 5 spots with bubble algae (and I'm aware there are probably more I can't see). I'll try this before introducing anything into the tank.

The problem with bubble algae is it doesn't need light. So inside all your rock caves out of sight it can be spreading without you knowing then it pops up all over the tank where you can see it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just noticed this in my tank. It’s a small patch, but once I noticed it, I realized there are small patches in other places in the tank.

Can anyone ID, and possibly provide a fix?

125 gallon tank (115 gallons total water volume). Tank has been up and running since August 2021.

Parameters:
Salinity 1.025
pH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 2.2
Phosphate 0.03
Mg 1280
Calcium 490
Alk 9.4

Lights:
Current USA Marine Orbit LED strips
4 T5HO bulbs.

I take a small needle and have 3/8 tubing ready and attach to end of tubing with rubber band and pop each one and siphon at same time- You will have removed all spores and foreign material in area.
Had to do this in the past with birdsnest coral and was gone 100% as they were in between the branches.
Other option is to add pitho crabs or emerald crabs (which I do not trust) which will eat them

 

[bluecheese]

I take a small needle and have 3/8 tubing ready and attach to end of tubing with rubber band and pop each one and siphon at same time- You will have removed all spores and foreign material in area.
Had to do this in the past with birdsnest coral and was gone 100% as they were in between the branches.
Other option is to add pitho crabs or emerald crabs (which I do not trust) which will eat them

Do you not trust both pitho crabs and emerald crabs, or just emerald crabs?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you not trust both pitho crabs and emerald crabs, or just emerald crabs?

Just Pitho over Emeralds. Emerals are good workers when you get one that works and not turn on coral