Bubble Algae and Nutrients

FishILike

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Hello, like many others I am battling severe bubble algae. I have a refugium set up and test my phosphate and nitrates every 2 days it has ALWAYS been phosphate: 0.05-0.07 and nitrates: 5-10. but my bubble algae still grows like crazy. I do feed probably too much. but with the chaeto growing and nutrients where they are shouldnt it not be growing?

I also know that nutrients can give false readings because the bubble algae may be using alot of them so should i just let them bottom out? Shouldnt the chaeto be outcompeting it?
 

Mr. Mojo Rising

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I don't know how much you feed, but I get the impression it is enough to support both chaeto growth and bubble algae growth. I have bubble algae and it spreads very slow, I don't worry about it. If it spreads quickly then the nutrients are available.
 

Uncle99

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I think those nutrient levels are fine, you don’t want to zero out then other pest stuff can start.

I had to physically remove as much as possible. I did use Vibrant for 16weeks and for me, wiped it out. Also lost some coralline, but no other issues.

Green bubbles turned beige, then translucent, then seemed to just vanish after 16 weeks.

But beware, seems a lot of posters report other negative effects that may correlate with its use, and likely some mis use as well. Risky.

Once it was gone, it never returned.

But can be a bit tough to clear out.

Be persistent. If you have some around the base of a coral, F-Aptasia can cover and encapsulate in harder to clean areas.
 
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FishILike

FishILike

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I think those nutrient levels are fine, you don’t want to zero out then other pest stuff can start.

I had to physically remove as much as possible. I did use Vibrant for 16weeks and for me, wiped it out. Also lost some coralline, but no other issues.

Green bubbles turned beige, then translucent, then seemed to just vanish after 16 weeks.

But beware, seems a lot of posters report other negative effects that may correlate with its use, and likely some mis use as well. Risky.

Once it was gone, it never returned.

But can be a bit tough to clear out.

Be persistent. If you have some around the base of a coral, F-Aptasia can cover and encapsulate in harder to clean areas.
I just bought some Razor and microbactor clean but am getting mixed feelings, some say sps death, some say no issues at all. I may try reducing food and getting a few more pithos i have 3 in my 75 right now and i never see them.
 

Uncle99

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I just bought some Razor and microbactor clean but am getting mixed feelings, some say sps death, some say no issues at all. I may try reducing food and getting a few more pithos i have 3 in my 75 right now and i never see them.

What about emeralds?
Maybe they would help?
 

tbrown

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Pihtos can be helpful as well and supposedly safer.

Also, if the tank is big enough and has room, Foxface are good.
 
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FishILike

FishILike

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Pihtos can be helpful as well and supposedly safer.

Also, if the tank is big enough and has room, Foxface are good.
I have 3 in my 75 right now, but don't see them much, maybe too much left over food for them I am going to reduce feeding a lot and see if the pithos come out to eat more algae
 

tbrown

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75 could potentially house a One Spot Foxface.
 

Uncle99

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I heard they are much more likely to eat coral? I dont know if that is true or not. I have seen my pithos eat the bubbles but not lately
I’ve heard that as well.
It’s a crab, so always possible.
 

tbrown

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I have 3 in my 75 right now, but don't see them much, maybe too much left over food for them I am going to reduce feeding a lot and see if the pithos come out to eat more algae
Pihtos are nocturnal I believe, and they sleep under the sand during the day.
 

tbrown

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Yep. And they definitely will eat bubble algae.

The problem for me is that I can’t seem to keep them alive for more than a few weeks.
I've had 1 - it lasted 2 days. I wonder if they're bad shippers?
 

BigBlueReefer

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I just bought some Razor and microbactor clean but am getting mixed feelings, some say sps death, some say no issues at all. I may try reducing food and getting a few more pithos i have 3 in my 75 right now and i never see them.
Did you have any luck with the Razor?
 

JonEB

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foxface is the king of the bub. I used to have a bubble algae problem. Not anymore.
 
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FishILike

FishILike

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Did not try it yet, I went with a foxface rabbitfish it has been pecking at them ever since. Razor is my last resort. I have heard all sorts of stories of it hurting and not hurting corals so I want to wait as long as i can
 

Joe's Coral Reef

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What about pulling the rocks out, removing the bubble algae, spraying area with hydrogen peroxide, rinsing with tank water and placing rocks back in tank.
 

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