Bubble algae

[MarkLW]

We have a 10 gallon nano with bubble algae we cant seem to get rid of.. :sick We have had this problem ongoing for 6 or more months.. It has covered most of the large rocks and is even forming in clusters on the sand bottom which we pick out weekly. We used to take the rock out on regular basis and scrub the rock with toothbrush and RO water after pealing them off. I know that when they burst they release spores into the tank and multiply. We have 4 emerald crabs in the tank which are supposed to eat this stuff but they do not seem interested at all.. They just pick at the rock and or sand. We have a percula (nemo), sea hare, xenia, ricordia and a variety of mushrooms. This crap has attacked every rock in our system!!! I dont want to throw the rock out and start over but I'm out of methods at this point..

Please help!
Will try to post some pics later this evening when I get my digicam

[JimD]

Bubble algae can be a real pest. Sounds like you have elevated nutrient levels. Have you tested for nitrates lately? Manual removal and a refugium for nutrient export would be my first recommendation.

[Tim Marvin]

I'm with Jimmy on this, I've had to just manually remove them in the past. Keep on top of it and they'll soon be gone.

[GaryP]

Your only other alternative to the emeralds is a small fox face. Emeralds are picky as to what species of bubble they will eat. Fox face aren't as picky, but it will quickly outgrow a nano so you'll have to find another home for it.

[MarkLW]

thanks for all the advise guys... think I'm going to continue the manual removal as suggested and maybe up the water changes. (dont have stand big enough for refug:() One question though... we have 2 rocks that are Completely Covered, they are pretty small.. Should I just remove them and replace them (have plenty in our other tank) or try to clean those. Worried that these culprits are so covered that there will be millions of spores when I clean them.. left on the surface... may try the fox face or rabbitfish if this does not work in the end.. but not sure nemo wants to share any space in his little tank;)

[Polkster13]

How big are the emerald crabs that you have?

I have found from experience that you need large ones to go after the bubble algae. The smaller ones (under 2 inches) don't seem to care for the bubble algae. I recently put in an emerald crab that was almost three inches (I had also tried the smaller sones and they too did not seem interested in the bubble algae) and he has nearly cleaned out my entire bubble algae population from my 135 gallon tank. I literally had close to a thousand individual bubbles (of at least four, if not five, different species of bubble algae) and now you really have to look to find any after just one month. A big thank you goes out to Jade for letting me know about the size of the crab issue.

Just ask CD or ~pete~ as they both have seen the before and the after and both were amazed at the difference in my tank.

HTH

[MarkLW]

Man, thank you... Think I am definitly going to give that a try.. So will need to find 2-3 inch crab.. mine are currently like half an inch and one may be about 1.5 inch.. will dump them into the big tank:)

[CD]

Just ask CD or ~pete~ as they both have seen the before and the after and both were amazed at the difference in my tank.


This is VERY true! LOL...no offense to Frederick, but he did have quite the bubble algae farm goin' on in his tank. Now it looks AMAZING - no bubbles, and looks VERY nice! ;)

W. :)

[Polkster13]

Give me a call. I believe I might have one that will fit your needs.

[MarkLW]

Just spend 2 hrs hacking away at that darn tank..
PM sent!
Thank you:))))))))