Bubble algae

[johno4]

I know there was a thread a few months ago about getting rid of it. Of course I wasnt having an issue with it and I didnt read it and now I cant find the thread. What was the best way to get rid of this stuff. I was thinking of getting an emrald crab. I have no other algae issues in the tank except bubble. What was the summary of the other thread that discussed this?

[tmz]

In addition to managing nutrient strategies which I' assuming you know,there are a few things. Managing nutirents will keep it away but it is apparnetly very efficient at gathering nutrient once established and can thrive even in a low nutrient environment by getting to the available nutrient before anything esle does.


I've removed it manually with the end of a siphon hose, tweezers,a toothbrush and my fingers. I don't worry too much about it popping,although I will try to remove it without popping it. It needs to be quite mature and ready before it will sporulate in my experience.

I've also covered it with a rock and shaded it out over the course of a week.

A Mithrax sculptus(emerald crab) will sometimes eat it. Many foxface will eat it(siganus vulpinis or magnifica).

[03Mach]

I've found nutrient control and time is the only thing that fought it off in my nano. I tried an emerald crab, but he never touched it. I too plucked it off the rock, popping a few and popping them never really made it worse. If you find something that works good let us know.

[johno4]

I have a refugium in the sump and although I have not tested for any nutrients in the water I would assume they are low. All the hair algea and cyano disappeared on its own in a short period of time. I dont think a foxface or rabbit will work in a 40g tank thats why I thought of an emerald crab. It will be very hard to manually remove due to where it is in relation to the corals in the tank. Is the crab worth a try?

[tmz]

Worth a try ,I had one and it ate some of it. It also started eating some elkhorn montipora,however.

[NirvanaFan]

I've never seen my 2 emeralds eat bubble algae. I don't have as much as I used to, but I'm not sure if that's because I've been more careful about overfeeding, flow, and the like. It's probably worth a try. Since adding the emeralds months ago, I haven't seem them pick on any fish or corals.

[acdraindrps]

Sailfin Tang.

[tmz]

Hi Chris, might work but grows to 15inches.

[acdraindrps]

Hi Chris, might work but grows to 15inches.

Good, easier to net

[tmz]

Originally posted by acdraindrps
Good, easier to net