Bubble Algae

Tswifty · Jun 8, 2009

I'm very slowly, but surely noticing an increase in bubble algae in my tank. Can't figure out why though... Never had it before. Anyway, I've tried Emerald Mithrax Crabs with no luck. Any suggestions, or ideas why I'm suddenly battling this in my tank, and how to get rid of it?

I haven't been running GFO at this point, just a very healthy refugium with cheatomorpha. Perhaps I'll have to bring some GFO online soon?

Thanks.

holdyourlight · Jun 8, 2009

Desjardini Tang ate all of it in my tank in 2 days...and im talking hundreds of bubbles

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

Interesting... Guess I should have specified a bit more. 40g tank. :tongue:

killingseed2000 · Jun 9, 2009

a tang would still be hit or miss , as my yellow tang eat it from time to time and only makes it worse. the Emerald Mithrax Crabs are hit miss but better odd i would think. try another one. for a tank like a 40 you should be able to take rocks out and scrub them clean and put back.

kass03 · Jun 9, 2009

Yeah I think manually removing them keeps them in check.

kass

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

I've been trying manual removal, they peel off pretty easily without popping... started out only having to do it about once a month... now it's starting to need to be done like once a week.

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

killingseed2000 said:
a tang would still be hit or miss , as my yellow tang eat it from time to time and only makes it worse. the Emerald Mithrax Crabs are hit miss but better odd i would think. try another one. for a tank like a 40 you should be able to take rocks out and scrub them clean and put back.

Thanks for the response. I figure most livestock would be hit or miss, and also unless they constantly ate it... like you eluded to... they're not swallowing the bubbles whole, so they would pop the bubbles and release the spores... thus helping and making the problem worse at the same time. Pulling the rocks out of the tank is not an option though.

gparr · Jun 9, 2009

I would do manual removal and stay after them daily. If the growth rate is increasing, that suggests a high level of organics. Maybe a series of 10-gal. daily water changes for a week, increased flow or adjustment of flow to eliminate dead areas, and heavy carbon filtration, changing the media weekly. Maybe cut your feeding schedule in half.
gary

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

Yeah I figure manual removal is about the only way, but was hoping to get some other responses.

Nitrates are 0. Haven't tested Phosphates.
Flow is a VorTech MP40, no dead zones.
Skimmer is Marine Solutions MSX-160
Feeding schedule is once/twice per day.
Carbon is changed every 2 weeks like clockwork.
5 gallon water change per week.

No other nuisance algae or cyanobacteria is/has been appearing. Just the bubbles.

gparr · Jun 9, 2009

Sounds like your system is up to snuff, but something is feeding the bubble algae, particularly if the growth rate is increasing. Testing phosphates is a dubious thing since your chaeto and bubble algae are probably taking up the phosphates too fast and the test will show a low level. I assume you're confident your RO/DI water is 0 TDS. I have an MP40 on my 40 breeder, and know how it moves water, so I know you don't have dead spots. How deep is your sand bed? If deep, maybe vacuum the surface for organics. If a thin sandbed (that's what I use), try disturbing it with a turkey baster before doing a water change to get any trapped organics into the water column for removal. Just throwing out ideas for you.
Gary

Chad · Jun 9, 2009

I would definately try another emerald crab (or two) I have had great luck with these guys eliminating bubble algae for me!

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

gparr said:
Sounds like your system is up to snuff, but something is feeding the bubble algae, particularly if the growth rate is increasing. Testing phosphates is a dubious thing since your chaeto and bubble algae are probably taking up the phosphates too fast and the test will show a low level. I assume you're confident your RO/DI water is 0 TDS. I have an MP40 on my 40 breeder, and know how it moves water, so I know you don't have dead spots. How deep is your sand bed? If deep, maybe vacuum the surface for organics. If a thin sandbed (that's what I use), try disturbing it with a turkey baster before doing a water change to get any trapped organics into the water column for removal. Just throwing out ideas for you.
Gary

Thanks Gary, I appreciate the responses. Sometimes it's nice to just bounce ideas around. I'm sure I haven't thought of everything, and lots of things are worth checking twice. So it helps having everything brought up. :)

The reasons you mentioned have been exactly why I haven't purchased a PO4 kit. I'll have to check around and see if I can get my hands on a Hannah Photometer.

I agree though... something is obviously fueling the growth, but I'm pretty good about my maintenance schedule... and what I think are most of the areas where a hobbyist can be proactive at preventing phosphates, nitrates, silicates, etc.. from entering the system up front.

I also use a shallow sand bed, and usually stir it up about 1 every 2 weeks or so. As far as the RO/DI... I actually just changed my pre-filters and DI resin a few weeks ago. LOL

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

Chad said:
I would definately try another emerald crab (or two) I have had great luck with these guys eliminating bubble algae for me!

Thanks. I added 2 Emerald Mithrax crabs a few weeks ago to test the theory out. One died, and the other hasn't really made a noticeable impact. I think it's one of those 50/50 gambles with them. Some people have great luck with them... I wasn't so fortunate.

kass03 · Jun 9, 2009

I would try GFO if your not already.

kass

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

Thanks... I think I'm going to bring some on line soon, and see if that helps. That's the only questionable area I can think... or should I say... area I haven't addressed yet.

revhtree · Jun 9, 2009

Ok don't no one flame me, but me and my local buddy were having problems and we just started popping them in our tanks.

We started thinking that the crabs and fish pop them before they eat them anyway. After getting my water in check and popping them, I have no more problem. :)

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

Haha... no flames here... we're all just looking for some information. Any and all suggestions welcome. :)

You are correct though, that bubble algae eating livestock pops the bubbles anyway. Basically meaning they will have a never ending supply to feed on. However unless they are aggressively eating it (eating it faster, or as fast as it can reproduce), it can become more of a problem than a solution.

Very interesting thought though Rev... Definitely outside the box. LOL

Tswifty · Jun 9, 2009

I just find it extremely odd I'm having this problem, since all the rock was inspected thoroughly, and scrubbed down before I added it. Also, a good majority of it was from an established system where I never even spotted bubble algae before in years.

So basically... WHERE DID IT COME FROM! LOL :tongue: