The bubble algea take over

[Uncle99]

I used Vibrant.
It took 16 weeks but wiped out 100% bubble algae and nothing else.
Tanks been clear 5 years now.
Easy to overdose this stuff.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like a tick with claws. Where can I get some reliably all 3 LFS have never heard of these guys.

LFS by region, as mentioned reefcleaners and saltybottomreef.com

 

[RC_Reefer]

So my tank started with a Dino out break, I just test my phosphate and it’s .11 witch explains why my Dino’s went away and other algae exploded. I’m about to start dosing bacto balance since my phosphate is in a good range. For the longest time it was .03 or lower that’s when Dino’s were bad. I’ve been kinda feeding heavily with reef foods to help naturally bump it while the corals get to feast to.

Problem is my nitrates stay at 0 even with .11 phosphates or 0 phosphates. Think that’s what the algae is sucking up heavily now?

Looking back at my tests logs phosphates fluctuate a lot with me while nitrates are a steady 0-1 for the most part my phosphates stayed .03 or below except a few months back they got to .16

Try leaving filter socks in for much longer to raise Nitrate.
I have a method of always leaving 1 soiled sock in there to keep the Nitrate up.

 

[TheStrangler]

How many would you recommend? And is that a reliable source to order from?

Yup, good source for them. I and many others have used reefcleaners for when you need the occasional crab and a half dozen snails but don't want to pay $50 for shipping as they'll ship with some exceptions USPS priority mail. As far as how many, I had two doing a great job in my 40g.

 

[bureau13]

I may need to get hold of some of those pithos as well. I put emeralds in, but have yet to see one look twice at a bubble. Then I put a scribbled rabbitfish in, and he seems completely disinterested as well, but at least he's a cool fish and is always out and about. Maybe he's just a bit too small for bubble algae at this point, I don't know.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Yeah emeralds just scare me with the fact they can turn into coral any moment. I’ll say I don’t have photos to show! But I’ve eliminated all algae except the bubble algae now thanks to some snails and a tuxedo urchin.

Also PSA rock flowers will eat hermit crabs/snails.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Also I’m going to hold off on vibrant. Getting rid of all the other algae gave me a boost of confidence I needed to get rid of the bubble algae over time. Started dosing tropic marins carbon products so we will see how that goes. Bacto balance.

 

[eggie]

I got rid of mine with 5ml of Vibrant each day for 2-3 weeks. Didn’t kill any fish, corals or snails.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

I got rid of mine with 5ml of Vibrant each day for 2-3 weeks. Didn’t kill any fish, corals or snails.

Yeah I feel that but I also know it’s an algecide and not bacteria so I know even if the coral lives it can’t be all that great for the zooexanthele that live in them.

 

[tautog83]

Just order 5 pithos ...do a 10 gallon water change with all pumps off . Then get your hand in there scrape and siphon out as many big clumps as you can . Then wait and see how the crabs do.

 

[eggie]

Yeah I feel that but I also know it’s an algecide and not bacteria so I know even if the coral lives it can’t be all that great for the zooexanthele that live in them.

Iv never had issues when treating for bubble algae with Vibrant I have used it for years on different tanks with no stress to corals. Bacteria doesn't treats bubble algae. Bacteria is best established to keep nutrients in balance

Always remember we treat tanks with things we never thought we would use jajajaja

Like Interceptor for Red Bugs, Hydrogen Peroxide for algae, Bayer for coral dips, Vinegar and Vodka for nutrients, just to mention some things that are used in this hobby

When done properly and with patience treatments work out well

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Well I found an unexpected helper in the bubble algea fight! My only little hands in the tank lol

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Also my lfs should be getting pithos crabs tomorrow!!

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Added pothos crabs! Two of them. They definitely eat the algae but still seems like they can’t put a dent in it. Also noticed my emerald crab picking at the algae here and there.

Side not my tuxedo urchin will now be getting dumped because it decided to much on my leather coral and tick it off along with a good size nom mark in it.

 

[bureau13]

I may need to get hold of some of those pithos as well. I put emeralds in, but have yet to see one look twice at a bubble. Then I put a scribbled rabbitfish in, and he seems completely disinterested as well, but at least he's a cool fish and is always out and about. Maybe he's just a bit too small for bubble algae at this point, I don't know.

NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH!

The Scribbled Rabbitfish has picked at bubble algae! I saw him pick and two or three bubbles. Now, that's not really a lot, and he's not out there mowing it down like my bristletooth tang did to some hair algae, but there's hope!