Bubble Algae

[Euclid]

I've got 3 or 4 peanut-m&m-sized clusters of bubble algae

what's the best way to get rid of them? Just suck 'em up with a turkey baster?

[dmweise]

That'd probably work, however, if they pop they will spread spores and more will grow. Do you have an algae blenny?

[jrsatx20]

if they burst they will multiply. scrape at the base of buuble n try to get out whole. they also say emerald crabs help

[Gseclipse02]

they also say emerald crabs help


yep yep

[reddrum]

Emerald crabs will eat bubble algae however...they will not eliminate it. For just keeping it under control emeralds will work. It is not going to hurt anything to have it. I would say most people with any live rock have some.

[vman181]

It is not going to hurt anything to have it. I would say most people with any live rock have some.

I'd seconded that. I have always had some here and there. I pick it out when I can only get the whole thing out without it breaking on me.

[jc]

Are the emerald crabs able to eat the algae without bursting the bubble? I heard that spores are released when the bubble burst. If so wouldn't it be better to take them out by hand.

[vman181]

I feel it is always better to take them out by hand. I was looking in my tank really hard last night and I saw two of them about the size of a watch face :-O. The problem is, I can't get that rock out as it's half in the sand!!!! Next time I do a water change I will use the siphon hose right next to it as I try to get the whole thing off the rock. This way if it does "pop" I will get most, if not all of the spores.

[Daniel]

I've got 3 or 4 peanut-m&m-sized clusters of bubble algae

what's the best way to get rid of them? Just suck 'em up with a turkey baster?

Blow torch.

[coraline79]

get an emerald crab or 2 in your tank depending on how large it is, and they will rid you of your issue. I have one in my 125 and I have never seen a problem.

[MeteorFlower]

I pick'em off whenever I'm doing a water change; that way, if they do pop, the spores go up the siphon (hopefully). However, since my new Naso tang loves bubble algae, I don't really have any anymore!