bubble algae

[TroyPham]

i have some bubble algae in my tank. is there anyway to treat this stuff? or should i not realy worry about it.

[cvonseggern]

You can remove it manually, but be careful not to burst the bubbles in the tank. If you're able to reach them with your fingers, you can gently twist/pull them off the rocks.

I've had good success with emerald crabs eating bubble algae. YMMV with any biological control method, of course, but it's worked for me and the emeralds are a nice addition to the tank.

Chris

[GaryP]

Emerald Crabs are a little tricky in that they are picky about which species of bubble algae they will eat. There are 7 species so it is sorta hit ot miss. I have always had good luck with Foxface. They eat any bubble they can get to.

Gary

[Jenn]

I second what Gary said. My foxface took care of what I had a while back too.

[6LINE]

I have heard that the foxface is not completely reefsafe. Is this true?

Jerry

[Andrew]

I use 1/2" tubing or larger when doing water changes to vacuum them out/off rock, sand. I usually turn off all powerheads etc., just in case I cause any to burst.

I've found it's incredibly difficult to remove them by hand without popping at least a few.

HTH

Andrew

[TroyPham]

hey andrew... u should come by and check out the tank.

[GaryP]

6Line,

You could never tell it by looking at my tanks. I have a Foxface in both of my reef tanks. I suppose there is always any exception to something like that. I'd always heard that about Triggers, Angels and Butterflies too. I've had both Angels and Butterflies in my reefs and I know of a folks with triggers.

Gary

[JimD]

Isnt it a little strange to recommend biological control like Emeralds or Foxs', then suggest not to pop them? lol, what happens to the internal fluid when the fish/crab rips open the bubble to eat it? Its only the large bubbes, say an inch or so in diameter that are mature enough to develop spores. I usually use a hypo to extract the internal fuid before attempting to remove them.
Foxfaces have been reported to nip at some soft corals and LPS but are completely acro safe.

[Ram_Puppy]

It is my understanding the bubbles don't contain spores until they are larger, and emeralds won't pray on large bubbles. so maybe there is wisdom in that.

Also, I read last night on reefcentral that a guy that had bubble algae that kept returning, simply removed as much of it as he could (there was obviously always something he couldn't get at) and then smeared kalk (he used joes juice) on the sight, claims no more velonia! :)

[GaryP]

If you have a dedicated grazer like a Foxface they will release the spores but after the spores germinate he will get the small ones too. End of cycle.

Gary

[Snausages01]

I wouldn't say Foxfaces are comletely acro/sps safe: http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16115&highlight=foxface

I usually just pull the bubble algae out. Manual removal is probably the best thing to do, then lets the crabs and fish get to the ones you can't. If you let it get out of control there is almost not stopping it.

[JimD]

Well now!, Thats the first report of a Foxface going mad Ive heard so far! Thanks for posting that link, Ill say now, that its been "my experience" that Foxfaces are sps safe....

[DeAngelove]

I've had really good luck with Emeralds when I had a bubble algae problem.

HTH

[Snausages01]

I have heard a few things about Foxfaces and coral nipping, but honestly I hear mostly good things more often than not. Truthfully, I still wouldn't hesitate to put one in my SPS tank.

Just do whatever it takes to get the bubble algae out and don't let it get out of control because once it does it becomes much harder to deal.

[JimD]

Most of the problems Ive heard about with ff's have been related mostly to lps and an occasional clam. Mine has been an algae eating machine and a model citizen,,,,, so far. Also eats frozen Mysis and frozen brine, wont touch live brine though.