Nutrients and Bubble Algae

[Maho.B]

Hello, I would like some advice regarding bubble algae and nutrients. Awhile back I had an outbreak of bubble algae, it got to where physically removing them during each water change couldn't keep up, so I added 6 emerald crabs. The crabs cleared it up in about a month or so. Now after several months of being pretty much bubble algae free, it has been coming back with a vengeance! It is spreading SO FAST its crazy. I still have the crabs, don't know if they just don't want to eat it anymore or if they can't keep up but I have to do something. I keep my phosphate between 0.02 and 0.03 by dosing every couple of weeks to keep it measurable (Hanna) and my Nitrate between 4.5 and 6. These nutrients don't seem to be high enough at all to have a bubble algae problem, can readings be false with the algae present? Meaning is the bubble algae consuming/holding the nutrients giving me "false" low readings? The only other thing I can think of is maybe I need to clean my skimmer cup more often? I admit I only clean the cup out once a week so maybe the dissolved organics are to high? I do get really dark brown skimmate so I know it's working. Just trying to figure out something to limit this bubble algae. The display tank is 90 gallons so I don't want to add a foxface, any thoughts appreciated. Thanks

 

[CHSUB]

Algae can and will grow easily below hobby test kit resolution..manual removal and CUC is your best option. Nutrients in general are far overrated by the new hobbyist…

 

[ColorMeGone]

See if you can find some pitho crabs or order some online. They worked great for my tank. People on here told me about them and I wasn't sure but I finally ordered some and no more bubble algae. I do only have a nano tank so I got two but now have to feed them since they have nothing else to eat. lol

 

[Maho.B]

Thanks for the replies. Originally I was hesitant to put emerald crabs in due to the "you never know" about them turning on some corals. You have found your Pitho crabs to be safe with your corals as well? Weird thing is the emeralds really ate all of it when introduced, now not so much

 

[ColorMeGone]

I was thinking on the same lines that they might eat my corals. I also have one Emerald crab but I keep them happy and fed every day with fish pellets or Nori and so far so good.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Emerald crabs have always been safe for me. I love them

 

[Maho.B]

Emerald crabs have always been safe for me. I love them

Yeah the 6 I have luckily have been great and not bothered any corals...just wish I could convince them to start eating bubble algae again :)

 

[dvgyfresh]

Yeah the 6 I have luckily have been great and not bothered any corals...just wish I could convince them to start eating bubble algae again :)

they have a new food favorite that you are probly supplying , you have to cut that off to encourage back to algae

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

I've never had any luck with emerald crabs. They never eat the bubble algae and just pester my corals. Bubble algae persists as I cannot get rid of it. I am but a humble bubble algae farmer!

 

[Maho.B]

Ha! Bubble algae farmer! I hear ya. I keep phosphate around .03-.04 and phosphate around 5-6 which I thought was rather "low nutrient" but the bubble algae still grows like mad. I am manually removing what I can get at duro water changes but I can only get at 30 - 40% or so

 

[CHSUB]

Ha! Bubble algae farmer! I hear ya. I keep phosphate around .03-.04 and phosphate around 5-6 which I thought was rather "low nutrient" but the bubble algae still grows like mad. I am manually removing what I can get at duro water changes but I can only get at 30 - 40% or so

Just to confirm here are my nutrients and still need to manually remove bubble algae…imo nutrients are not a great answer to algae; low or high stuff going to grow, obviously high provide more fuel but regardless stuff growing.

 

[BryanM]

Foxfaces love bubble algae generally, assuming your tank is big enough to support one.