Have a really bad case of bubble algae

RickG · Apr 23, 2018

Any advice on how to deal with a bad case of bubble algae? Have two emerald crabs but I might have to add some more. Started with only a few bubbles but it has blown up on most rocks in the past couple of months.

Palyzoa · Apr 23, 2018

Picture would help. Normally I would suggest removing the rock and treating with hydrogen peroxide but if it's spread all over you tank that might be difficult. Emerald crabs are good start and Ive heard some fish like bubble algae.. Just be careful when moving things around not to break the bubbles in the tank water, it will spread to other areas.

K. Steven · Apr 23, 2018

Vibrant takes care of bubble algae really well.

RickG · Apr 23, 2018

K. Steven said:
Vibrant takes care of bubble algae really well.

Might check this out!

waxhawreefer · Apr 23, 2018

Have allot of bubbles myself, just did my second dose of vibrant, so far areas of hair algae have gone down but bubbles haven’t, only dosing once a week fyi

chefmur · Apr 23, 2018

I had similar problem on my last tank, I spent the day removing as much as I could with tweezers. I then added a dozen emerald crabs and they finished it off. Then crabs will not touch the older mature bubbles but once I got most of the big stuff off they went to town. Worked well for me.

cracker · Apr 23, 2018

The peroxide will kill it & the roots if left on the rock for a few, how long? It will also take out other stuff as well, so must be used with care to keep it o the algae. This has worked for me but it pretty much wiped it any coraline I had also. Here is a recent poll about bubble.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poll-bubble-algae-removal.382710/page-3#post-4659469

RickG · Apr 23, 2018

chefmur said:
I had similar problem on my last tank, I spent the day removing as much as I could with tweezers. I then added a dozen emerald crabs and they finished it off. Then crabs will not touch the older mature bubbles but once I got most of the big stuff off they went to town. Worked well for me.

This is what ill probably do. I was thinking of using tweezers taking out as much as I can and putting 3 or 4 more emeralds to finish it off hopefully. I try to stay away from adding chemicals to my tank. If that doesnt work, then ill take a look at using vibrant