The evil bubble algae (1 Viewer)

[fire123]

The worst mistake I have ever made was buying a couple of pieces of coral on rocks with a few bubble algae on them.
From a few, at their peak, they spread into hundreds, maybe thousands. They are everywhere. They are on my rocks, my bottom pane (i don't have sand), on and inside my overflows. I have tried everything in the last 6 months and I could not get rid of them.
Make me want to quit the hobby altogether.

 

[Cody]

I understand your frustration. I had that issue on a previous tank and eventually just sold it. Well, I sold it because I was leaving the country I was in, but you get the point. I never totally won the battle but made some progress. I understand what you're going through though. Good luck to you.

 

[ReefMaster32787]

Did you try to reduce the nutrients in the tank and siphon/scrap the ones off in your tank?

 

[TexanReef]

Emerald crabs are rumored to like bubble algae.

 

[reeftopia]

foxface helped tremedously

 

[inigomontoya]

I have a lot in my sump but not a single one in the display. I think my tangs and/or emerald crabs have helped with that. You might try some natural remedy like that.

 

[Nickig23]

Emerald crabs are rumored to like bubble algae.

I thought so too. So I bought 5. Most of them are eating my birdsnest instead


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[fire123]

I cut down feeding to one every other day for a couple weeks. Did not seem to help. I am now back to once a day.
I use a wet and dry to siphon them out (this is 5 times better than the simple siphon hose), still they come back)
I have 5-7 emerald crabs.
I have yellow tang, blue tang.
I used to have fox face.
Fish and crabs don't touch them.
I turn off light for days at a time. They look like they were gone but once the lights are on, they are back.

 

[reeftopia]

I also bought 2 dozen large emeral crabs never saw one of them touch the bubble agae

 

[Jason]

When I see them I siphon them with a piece of rigid tubing attached to flexible tubing that drains into a bucket. I do this before water change with the pumps off. Low nutrients have helped as well.

 

[Diesel]

Low nutrients, fox face and injecting it with a tine bit Muriatic acid has all big effect on them.
Yes injecting the bubble with MA is time consuming but super effective.
Only thing you have to watch for is PH drop.

 

[fire123]

Doesn't muriatic acid kill everything else it touches too? Sort of like throwing a hand grenade in your attic to get rid of the squirrels?

 

[Diesel]

Just get a few syringes by walgreens and inject it MA that you buy by a pool maintenance supplier or HD.
Most of the MA will stay in the BA but it will kill the BA and the spores inside.
It will take you a while but it's much more effective than a emerald crab.
And remember "nothing in this hobby happens fast, only crashes does" don't you love this hobby?

 

[OceansX]

When I see them I siphon them with a piece of rigid tubing attached to flexible tubing that drains into a bucket. I do this before water change with the pumps off. Low nutrients have helped as well.

I have an infestation of bubble algae, and I keep it under control basically with the method Jason describes. I break them loose or pop them, and then siphon them out as part of a water change. Also, my system is too low nutrients. I've had months where nothing grows on the glass.

I've tried emerald crabs, and only some seem truly vegetarian. I wonder if there are similar looking species that we lump together, it's a matter of luck, or if they are just opportunistic.

Also, there are MARSH members who want bubble algae, but whenever they introduce it, it dies. So bubble algae can be outcompeted, naturally controlled. I don't know how though.

I don't think Diesel's plan would work for the number of bubble algae I have. In my opinion maybe if you have a few that you can't access with a hose, but with a needle, though I'd be hesitant to add acid into a reef even vinegar.

In my situation, I just keep them in control as best I can and hope they eventually die out. Non-reef keepers that check out my tank love them

 

[Jimsreef]

I used to inject mine with alk or cal, ph of either seemed to kill them. There is no magic cure. Be patient and keep picking them off, injecting eventually you will win.