Bubble Algae

[Patrick Cox]

Hi,
I guess bubble algae hitch hiked on a coral. I tried to clean the coral but I guess that doesn’t work.

Now is there anything I can do to get rid of this bubble algae.

Thanks.

 

[mfinn]

Between sucking it out with a syphon hose ( water changes) and the use of emerald crabs, I was able to get rid of the bubble algae in my tank.
It may take a while. It's not going to happen overnight.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Over the years I've had to dismantle 2 tanks because of bubble algae. The third time I got it I used brightwell razor and that solved the problem in a week.

 

[JTP424]

Pitho crabs work too if you can get your hands on them.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I did the same thing! Got a coral from a friend, I knew the bubble algae was there, thought I got it all, but didn't. If you catch it early, and stay on top of removal thru syphoning like @mfinn said. You can knock it out pretty quickly.

 

[FMF0331]

I got extremely lucky with a fox face , at first it did nothing. As it got comfortable in my tank the fish just starting picking away. So happy

 

[MC Blowfish]

I used a pitho crab along with an emerald crab. I also used a toothbrush to scrub the algae off the rock and when it was floating, I would use a siphon to remove it from my tank.

It did take a few weeks to fully clear up.

 

[mfinn]

Pitho crabs work too if you can get your hands on them.

Maybe that's what helped my tank. I remember adding a couple a few years ago.

 

[Patrick Cox]

I don’t really have a cleanup crew at this point. I’ve always shied away from crabs because they would kill my snails. But maybe I should just go with crabs and no snails.

 

[BryanM]

Emerald Crabs, Foxface rabbitfish if your tank is big enough, and Tuxedo urchins.

 

[ColorMeGone]

Pitho's and Emerald"s won't go after your snails but...........Hermit's will if they want that shell and can get to em.. lol

 

[Patrick Cox]

Emerald Crabs, Foxface rabbitfish if your tank is big enough, and Tuxedo urchins.

I have a fox face. I haven’t noticed him eating the bubble algae. I do feel a lot of Nori. Maybe I need to stop.

 

[PitzBen]

Over the years I've had to dismantle 2 tanks because of bubble algae. The third time I got it I used brightwell razor and that solved the problem in a week.

@Mr. Mojo Rising, The third time, before using the razor, did you have a severe, moderate or low infestation?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

@Mr. Mojo Rising, The third time, before using the razor, did you have a severe, moderate or low infestation?

I would say moderate on the way to becoming severe

 

[Channas]

i have bubble algae, always had it. But for me it has never been an issue until i started up my 140ish gallon tank, they totally exploded, what i did was adding one foxface and one purple tang, took about 2-3 months for them to eat it all now its just growing on the overflow box where they cant get to it, i scrape it off maybe once a month and toss it inside the tank for them to gobble up

 

[ColorMeGone]

I had it so bad in my nano that I took all the rocks out and gave them a peroxide bath. It didn't kill all the living organism in the rock but it sure took out most of the bubble algae. Did kill a few of my Acans though but it had to be done. Then added some crabs and all is well now.

 

[PitzBen]

i have bubble algae, always had it. But for me it has never been an issue until i started up my 140ish gallon tank, they totally exploded, what i did was adding one foxface and one purple tang, took about 2-3 months for them to eat it all now its just growing on the overflow box where they cant get to it, i scrape it off maybe once a month and toss it inside the tank for them to gobble up

Lucky you, I’ve got a purple tang that turns its nose up at algae bulbs

 

[Channas]

Lucky you, I’ve got a purple tang that turns its nose up at algae bulbs

That sucks :/ i think i got lucky with both my foxface (magnifica) and purple tang because i was told they would only eat the small ones but i saw them both chomp down on really big ones too when the infeststion was at it’s worst

 

[MC Blowfish]

I don’t really have a cleanup crew at this point. I’ve always shied away from crabs because they would kill my snails. But maybe I should just go with crabs and no snails.

Emeralds and Pithos won't touch your snails.

Hermit Crabs will. You can add empty shells to your tank to keep them from eating your snails. It's not 100% foolproof, but it does help.

 

[Channas]

Oh i forgot to mention i did get a yellow eyed kole tang as Well but maybe about 1 month after the foxface and purple tang which is a crazy good work horse for hair algae and also bubble algae, atleast mine is, seen him go down on both bubble algae and gha.