Over run with Red Bubble Algae

[Fish_Fry]

I made a big mistake and added the wrong species of red bubble alage. I thought I had an easy to control, branching version of Botryocladia.

Unfortunately the variety I added has taken over. Manual removal doesn't work. It is very difficult (if not impossible) to remove the anchor point where it connects to the rock.

I have a couple of Emeral crabs but it's significantly more than they can consume.

I'm beginning to think I need to remove and replace all the rock. I'd also have to filter out all the sand.

Any thoughts?

Tank is 75 gallons, lightly stocked 4 small fish & about a dozen frags. All other parameters are normal, pH 8.0-8.2, Alk 8.8, CA 420, NO4 ~5, P04 0.8

 

[Idoc]

I attempted "guaranteed to eat bubble algae" emerald crabs when my tank was being over-run by bubble algae. Only one actually was seen eating it...instead the rest attacked my large Duncan coral. After removing them, I turned to Vibrant and it cleared out the bubble algae for me.

 

[vtecintegra]

I had a big out break of green bubble algae. I used algae fix marine for three weeks. Didn't notice much, but then it started to flake off in spots. At that point I went in by hand and scraped most of it off. Then siphoned it out.

 

[Fish_Fry]

As I understand it Vibrant and Alage Fix Marine are both algaecides, but Vibrant misrepresented their product.

At that point I went in by hand and scraped most of it off. Then siphoned it out.

Was that the end of it or did it come back? Did you need any maintenance doses?

Thanks
Tom

 

[vetteguy53081]

I made a big mistake and added the wrong species of red bubble alage. I thought I had an easy to control, branching version of Botryocladia.

Unfortunately the variety I added has taken over. Manual removal doesn't work. It is very difficult (if not impossible) to remove the anchor point where it connects to the rock.

I have a couple of Emeral crabs but it's significantly more than they can consume.

I'm beginning to think I need to remove and replace all the rock. I'd also have to filter out all the sand.

Any thoughts?

Tank is 75 gallons, lightly stocked 4 small fish & about a dozen frags. All other parameters are normal, pH 8.0-8.2, Alk 8.8, CA 420, NO4 ~5, P04 0.8

This is not red bubble algae but actually a beautiful macroalgae called Botryocladia and sells for a decent chunk of change. If I didnt have so many tangs, Id be asking to buy some

 

[Lavey29]

This is not red bubble algae but actually a beautiful macroalgae called Botryocladia and sells for a decent chunk of change. If I didnt have so many tangs, Id be asking to buy some

I was thinking it looks much nice then my drab green bubble algae.

 

[Fish_Fry]

This is not red bubble algae but actually a beautiful macroalgae called Botryocladia

Yes, it's actually nice looking, but it's become invasive & it's starting to smother my corals.

I called it Red Bubble in the title thinking more people would know that then Botryocladia, for the common name I should have called it Red Grape.

 

[JGT]

Put in a fox face or small tang. Problem solved.

 

[vtecintegra]

Was that the end of it or did it come back? Did you need any maintenance doses?

It's only been about three weeks, but I don't see it growing back. There's still a few spots, but it's 95% gone. It was all over the powerbeads and overflow, and it's completely gone from them.

 

[scardall]

Yes, it's actually nice looking, but it's become invasive & it's starting to smother my corals.

I called it Red Bubble in the title thinking more people would know that then Botryocladia, for the common name I should have called it Red Grape.

you can harvest it as needed. I had the green varity at one time and did such.

 

[Fish_Fry]

I appreciate all the replies. I'm going to try Alage Fix. I'll report back with an update.

I've been trying to manually removing it for a couple of weeks. The issue is that it easily detaches just above the base, but without getting the actual portion that adheres to the rock it grows back.

thanks
again

 

[vetteguy53081]

I appreciate all the replies. I'm going to try Alage Fix. I'll report back with an update.

I've been trying to manually removing it for a couple of weeks. The issue is that it easily detaches just above the base, but without getting the actual portion that adheres to the rock it grows back.

thanks
again

Algae fix is an alternative and not a solution and may invite problems you currently do not have.
Dipping will work as well as applying 3% hydrogen peroxide to the roots via a pipette

 

[Bucs20fan]

I also recommend the peroxide regimen. Much safer and no harmful chemicals into the tank. You can also dose peroxide right to the DT if you wished it. This doesnt work nearly as fast as direct application, but it is safe. 1ml 3% peroxide per 10gallons of water volume.

 

[Subsea]

Not sure what corals you are saving by using Algecide in your system, but Bortacladia sells easily.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

Foxface love the stuff. My dwarf Eibli angel too.

 

[Bucs20fan]

If I were going a totally organic approach, this algae is only growing like it is because it has no competitors in your tank. Id sell a ton of it, as it is beautiful. Id introduce something to help sap up some nutrients, but is easier to control. GSP grows stupid fast, but if isolated can be controlled very easy. Just as an example, but something else to eat up nitrate and phosphate would slow this algae down.

GSP will literally grow over algae, and outgrow it, think im crazy, its literally that fast.

 

[Subsea]

I also recommend the peroxide regimen. Much safer and no harmful chemicals into the tank. You can also dose peroxide right to the DT if you wished it. This doesnt work nearly as fast as direct application, but it is safe. 1ml 3% peroxide per 10gallons of water volume.

I don’t agree that 1ml / 10G of 3% peroxide is harmless in a reef tank. The BOD (biological oxygen demand) is not the same in every system. That concentration discimated micro fauna & fana in 120G system. I watched amphipods die at that concentration.

 

[vtecintegra]

I appreciate all the replies. I'm going to try Alage Fix. I'll report back with an update.

I've been trying to manually removing it for a couple of weeks. The issue is that it easily detaches just above the base, but without getting the actual portion that adheres to the rock it grows back.

thanks
again

Make sure you have an accurate measure of water volume, and I did 1/2 doses for the first three or four.