Bubble algae control - Mag or Phos?

[addlime8]

I have a lot of bubble algae and today I plan on taking each rock out and trying to get them off the best as possible without popping them. I currently do not have a phosphate reactor, just some phosbgone in a filter sock and doesn't seem to be doing much. I heard that increasing magnesium levels also helps prevent bubble algae, is this true?

 

[ThaBeast]

I've tried taking mg up to 1600, never affected the bubble algae. I have read that PO4 has little effect on its growth as well. To my knowledge manual removal is all that works

 

[holdyourlight]

GFO will not remove bubble algae, either will rasing mag. Like HndMafia said, the only way to remove it is manually, which means you or a fish! (desjardani tang works best)

 

[Captain Nemo]

Actually you can try a sally lightfoot crab, they have been known to eat bubble algae. IMO I would do this before adding unnecessary mag or phos. Could also try a Desjardini tang like Light said.

 

[laskopyre]

If you are taking the rock out, just use super glue. Put super glue over the bubble algae, and dip in saltwater. It causes the bubble to harden, and is easier to remove. I've done that, and it's much easier to get rid of them that way.

 

[jestr]

i know in my nano i had my emerald crab did nothing... but my rose urchin ate it all up

 

[swannyson7]

I've heard that Mithrax crabs will help. I've never tried it myself though.

 

[addlime8]

A sailfin would be to big for my tank. I got a foxface but he won't touch the stuff, even when there is a floating ball he darts for it but immediately turns away when his mouth touches it. I've tried emerald crabs and they didn't touch the stuff, only coral. I also tried a long spine urchin but nothing either. I have massive amounts =/ I will do manual removal, but I wish it would just be gone for good.

 

[nice_corals]

Try a emerald crab they eat bubble algae or a yellow tang they might eat it

 

[condor]

+1 to emerald crabs

 

[CookieJar]

I'm in same boat, added a handful (4-6) of Emeralds and haven't seen them make a dent. Maybe they eat a little here & there, but I've got so many the only solution that's worked for me is manual removal. :sad:

 

[jestr]

emeralds from my understanding are a luck of the draw all the ones i had never ate the bubble.. as i stated befor the only thing i had that ate it was an urchin

 

[nice_corals]

the emerald did work for me

 

[thewackyreefer]

Any fish that would fit in a smaller tank than the 125 "suggested' for a desjardani?

 

[IPisces]

I dont think emerald crabs eat them unless they are really really tiny. Once the bubble algae gets so big they cant eat it. My yellow tang would eat it. I had had horrible outbreak. You couldnt see the rocks thru the thick patches of bubble algae. I pulled the rock out and scrubbed it off and rinsed it. Was difficult to do with coral on it, but I managed to do it without loosing anything. I did not get it all but I picked them off the rocks with long pointed tweezers carefully in the tank and either my yellow tang would eat them or they would get caucht in the slots in the power head covers and I would pick them off of there. Its taken some time, but the bubble algae is almost gone. You have to really look to find one now. Just be persistant and keep manually removing it. You can beat it!

 

[NanoNano]

Emeralds are hit or miss with bubble algae in my experience.

 

[nice_corals]

Emeralds are hit or miss with bubble algae in my experience.

My emerald crab ate all my coral

 

[jfox]

naso tang will end your problems i promise