Question about bubble algae?

[longhorn_20m]

I have a 12 Gallon JBJNanoCube that has been setup for about 8 months. Lately it has been easy sailing and everything has taken off. Really haven't done much since busy with finishing school and such. But in the last month or so I have really noticed this red bubble algae take off. I mean it started in one spot and now is everywhere. Is there an animal that removes this stuff? If not, what other method should I follow in order to get rid of it, or do I need to rid my tank of it? Seems like it is growing pretty fast. I have no other algae problems and really have noticed a lot of coraline growing lately, so no idea what is causing this. I will get a picture later today after my last final to help pinpoint the culprit and how to rid it.

Thanks
Justin

[GaryP]

Justin,

Red bubble algae is a new one on me. All I have ever seen is green bubble. Most algae outbreaks can be traced back to high phosphate levels. I think that is particularly true to a Nano where your water treatment options are limited. That's what makes keeping a Nano so challenging.

Nuisance algae options include manual removal, increased water changes, phosphate scavenging, and grazers. Since you have a nano your options are fairly limited. I would suggest increased water changes and manual removal of the algae. This should be done outside of the tank since bubble algae usually releases spores when punctured that just makes the problem worse. Try removing the rock and picking it off in a bucket of saltwater.

Grazers for bubble algae include emerald crabs and foxface. Your tank is to small for a foxface. Emerald crabs won't eat all species of bubble algae and I have no clue whether they would touch a "red" species. As I've said, I've never seen or heard of red bubble algae. Could this be green bubble algae that has been overgrown with coralline algae?

Since a nano doesn't have a sump itwould be difficult to use a phosphate pad or something else to scavenge your phosphate.

Nano's require weekly water changes. If you are not doing this I would suggest it. That should help remove the phosphate that is probably the source of the problem. Have you had a death or some other upset that could have been the source of the phosphate. If you are using tap water that can also be a source of some phosphate. Extremely low levels of phosphate can be enough to cause an outbreak.

The only other possible source of phosphate would be over feeding. Some small scavengers would be helpful in making sure that you don't have left over food in the tank. I like dwarf hermit crabs but others will disagree with me on that.

Here is a good article that was recently sent to me that I think may be helpful. I hope I have been of some help.

http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/reefref/algaeoutbrk.html

Gary