Poll: Bubble Algae Removal

dbl · Apr 20, 2018

Let's discuss the removal of another nuisance pest - Bubble Algae. What methods have you used successfully to remove it from your system. The poll is multiple choice and please discuss ideas not mentioned in the poll.

Luno · Apr 20, 2018

I got bubble algae once, by not treating coral attached to a plug that had it on it. Thinking scrapping it off would be ok. I have not made that mistake again. Starting tanks with dry rock and being vigilant on taking coral of plugs before introducing to my system I thankfully haven't had to deal with it ever again

Tahoe61 · Apr 20, 2018

Boy I wish I still had images of my tanks with bubble algae, I must be the only person on earth that thinks it's attractive if kept in check.

I just manually removed it. Twist the bubble off or scrap them off, let it settle to the bottom (pumps off for a short time) and siphon it out. I never put much credence into the idea that popping the bubbles released the dreaded spore.

mamedina · Apr 20, 2018

Same as Tahoe but if possible remove rock, scrape, then rinse

cracker · Apr 20, 2018

This is a great poll dbl . Never had this plague until some years ago I ordered some rock from FT Lauderdale & BAM. I have been battling ever since. I turn the rock over so no light I scrape in & out of tank, I pop while siphoning ,tried critters. nutrient control seems to work the best. I even cooked this rock in darkened barrels for 11 months! 2 years later, it's coming back. This is some tough stuff ! I'm very interested to hear what animals might eat this stuff.

Tyler Collinske · Apr 20, 2018

mamedina said:
Same as Tahoe but if possible remove rock, scrape, then rinse

You can use Hydrogen peroxide mix 50/50 with tank water bath for live rock with NO coral attached and use a brush or toothbrush will nuke it right off. Or you can do what I did and dump like 10 emerald crabs in and it was gone in a week. Then i used a glass cup with a silver side in it to get the extras out. The crawl into tho cup at night and can’t get out and you can get them out pretty fast with that trap.

Tyler Collinske · Apr 20, 2018

Sorry didn’t mean to quote ment to post :S

siggy · Apr 20, 2018

I'm surprised that Chem treatment (Vibrant)was not listed since that seems to be a popular solution. I myself removed 75% of my rock and acid washed, scrubbed in addition to adding emerald crabs. So far so good

Reefinny · Apr 20, 2018

siggy said:
I'm surprised that Chem treatment (Vibrant)was not listed since that seems to be a popular solution. I myself removed 75% of my rock and acid washed, scrubbed in addition to adding emerald crabs. So far so good

Agree 100% knocked mine out

Bpb · Apr 20, 2018

Foxface and pincushion urchin. Completely eradicated it

guido5526 · Apr 20, 2018

had bubble algae in my first tank 14 biocube and used vibrant and it knocked out almost all of it.

cracker · Apr 20, 2018

animals that have worked, emerald crabs , Foxface,pincushion urchin,

Raindog3030 · Apr 20, 2018

We brought some in on a plug we didn't notice...fighting a small cluster now with 3 emeralds in a 20g long...only been 2 days so far, wish us luck! This stuff survived H2O2 dosing during our fight with the dinoflagellets, pretty tough!

Yati · Apr 20, 2018

I have a Metallic FoxFace and a few emeralds in there before hand so if it grows or as it grows they are on it!

Sea MunnKey · Apr 20, 2018

Vibrant dosing and yeah surprise it's not listed as part of poll ...

dbl · Apr 20, 2018

siggy said:
I'm surprised that Chem treatment (Vibrant)was not listed since that seems to be a popular solution. I myself removed 75% of my rock and acid washed, scrubbed in addition to adding emerald crabs. So far so good

Reefinny said:
Agree 100% knocked mine out

Sea MunnKey said:
Vibrant dosing and yeah surprise it's not listed as part of poll ...

Alright...alright...I added it to the poll...lol. Good call folks. Now go change your vote!

Sea MunnKey · Apr 20, 2018

Thanks dbl!!!

cmcimino · Apr 20, 2018

I got some bubble algae on a large chalice I bought from someone. Scraped off as much as I could before I dipped it. Still have some pop up every now and then, but never had a large out break. Never seen my emerald crab touch it, but I do catch him eating other algae. I like to use a turkey baster. I knock it loose and suck it up, never had an issue with it popping.

Brew12 · Apr 20, 2018

Tahoe61 said:
I just manually removed it. Twist the bubble off or scrap them off, let it settle to the bottom (pumps off for a short time) and siphon it out. I never put much credence into the idea that popping the bubbles released the dreaded spore.

I wish I did a better job organizing the scientific studies and other useful data I have read over the last year.

One I came across studied the viability of spores in algae bubbles. Their conclusion matched your belief about popping bubbles. The spores in the bubble are not viable until very close to the time the bubble would be ready to pop on its own.