Bubble Algae
- Thread starter Patrick Cox
- Start date
- Tagged users None
My tuxedo urchins don't eat bubble algae, they pass right over it.
I had a really bad case. Was seriously considering tearing the tank down. I had even taken rocks out and used a metal wire to clean them bare (I thought) only to have it come back. I tried Emerald crabs and Pithos crabs and they didn't seem to do much.
My saving grace was a 2 Barred Rabbitfish! He's a machine, eats any algae he can get to. At this point I just go around with a long pair of tweezers and knock the bubble algae off the rocks. He follows me around the tank like a dog and snatches up the algae like Scooby snacks :). I still have it, probably always will, but at east it is sparse now.
As for the siphon, I have done that too in the past. Naet trick is to get some 1/4 PCV and cut the end at a 45 degree angle creating a tip. Stick the other end in a siphon hose. That way you can really scour the rocks and get in cervices and press really hard as the siphon pulls out most if not all of what you dislodge.
My saving grace was a 2 Barred Rabbitfish! He's a machine, eats any algae he can get to. At this point I just go around with a long pair of tweezers and knock the bubble algae off the rocks. He follows me around the tank like a dog and snatches up the algae like Scooby snacks :). I still have it, probably always will, but at east it is sparse now.
As for the siphon, I have done that too in the past. Naet trick is to get some 1/4 PCV and cut the end at a 45 degree angle creating a tip. Stick the other end in a siphon hose. That way you can really scour the rocks and get in cervices and press really hard as the siphon pulls out most if not all of what you dislodge.
slingfox
2500 Club Member
Pithos and Emerald Crabs don’t harm snails—even the small ones like bumble bee snails. For hermits, the most peaceful are blue leg due to their small size. Some of the larger hermits are absolute killers. I had a Halloween Hermit that would grab onto snails and kick off the rockscape to get them dislodged for killing.
FMF0331
Valuable Member
Never fed my foxface nori, what i did was pop off a few bubble algae off the rocks to entice him to eat.
After a few times of doing that, the foxface started to pick on the bubble algae without my help.
never had a great way to clean other than just grab it with bare hands when change water. 
PitzBen
Community Member
I went to my LFS to buy Brightwell Razor, and the shop assistant told me that a previous customer had bought up all the Razor in stock to combat this algae. That customer mentioned that he had already started the treatment, and all his algae bulbs had started to turn white. Can you confirm this? Can you tell us what you’ve noticed regarding the effects, if there have been any?
Mr. Mojo Rising
10K Club member
As you may know its very hard to find these types of anti-algae in Canada. Razor is actually available on amazon for $35, its a little pricey, but i bought my bottle last year and I still have more than half the bottle.
I followed the instructions exactly, and after about a week, the bubbles started to turn white and die, in 2 weeks my tank was completely cleared of bubble algae and hasn't come back since.
I spent $200 on pithos crabs that did nothing, so as a last effort I bought the razor, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this worked.
PitzBen
Community Member
Unfortunately, I can no longer find everything I need at the three local fish stores in my area. I’m ordering online more and more often from Reef Paradise and Aquarium Depot. I always make sure to choose free shipping.
I ordered a bottle of the first one, which I should receive early next week.
rbadred
New Member
I’m currently on day 12 of my Brightwell Razor treatment for a really bad bubble algae infestation. Pretty much all of the bubble algae has been white and clear since about day 4-5. Interestingly I noticed that the bubble algae that got the most direct light died much quicker but I can still see a few bubbles on my snails or under an overhang that look weakened but not fully clear and dead. My question is when should I stop dosing and add carbon/do a water change? I really want to make sure I irradiate this stuff but I can definitely tell some of my LPS are not as open as before.
PitzBen
Community Member
I’m on my fifth day of treatment with Razor; the bulb algae are starting to turn white, and one of my Hammers has closed up a bit because the nitrate level rose from 0.05 to 0.13.
Are you on your 16th day? On day 7 and up to now, have you been taking the dose recommended on day 6?
rbadred
New Member
I just followed the directions after day 6 for the maintenance dose. Stopped dosing, added carbon and did a water change on day 13. Since then I don't see any bubble algae that is alive. There is still dead white bubble algae on the rocks that my tangs pick at throughout the day. Don't see any alive bubbles as of now tho. My hammers and other LPS are opening back up now since adding the carbon.
slingfox
2500 Club Member
Yes, there is high risk of it doing that. Easy to remedy: put the macroalage into a 5g bucket and add it back in once treatment is over.
OP
OP
Patrick Cox
Active Member
I used the Razor. It worked. Bubble algae gone!
maybe they just have personal tastes. You might stop the Nori and see what he does. I have a 2 barred Rabbitfish who is a vacuum when I scrape the bubble algae off the rocks where he can't get it. I also have a Scopas tang. I don't feed any Nori and both fish are several years old and really healthy.
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