Poll: Bubble Algae Removal

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Boy I wish I still had images of my tanks with bubble algae, I must be the only person on earth that thinks it's attractive if kept in check.

I just manually removed it. Twist the bubble off or scrap them off, let it settle to the bottom (pumps off for a short time) and siphon it out. I never put much credence into the idea that popping the bubbles released the dreaded spore.

Agreed. If you've ever seen an emerald crab eating bubble algae, they have to pop the bubbles in order to eat the flesh. They don't just pick the bubble whole off the rock and shove the whole thing in their mouths.

If popping bubble algae was a death sentence every time, emerald crabs would make the problem worse, not control it entirely.

 

[ca1ore]

I guess it depends on what your goal is. If it is to completely eradicate from your system, then one approach; if to manage so it is not unsightly, a different approach. I concluded long ago that eradication of pests is usually fruitless, and a sure path to insanity. I take a 'mange' approach. For valonia, I remove it mechanically when I see a clump and have a handful of emerald crabs in the tank. It is not observably present in the display, though I do find clumps in the ATS or refugium occasionally. it may also be that one of more of my fish eat it as well. My emperor angel occasionally picks at small bubbles when they form.

 

[K. Steven]

Vibrant eradicated all my bubble algae that completely covered all my rock.

 

[atoll]

Foxface and pincushion urchin. Completely eradicated it

Wish my Foxface would eat it. :(

 

[Neo Jeo]

Years ago I got out of the hobby bc of bubble algae. Nothing would control it.

This time I got dry rock and inspect corals before placing them in. I found a few and manually removed them washed then put into tank.

 

[drawman]

This is one thing that vibrant really excels at. Without it bubble algae is a huge PITA!

 

[jd371]

Agreed. If you've ever seen an emerald crab eating bubble algae, they have to pop the bubbles in order to eat the flesh. They don't just pick the bubble whole off the rock and shove the whole thing in their mouths.

If popping bubble algae was a death sentence every time, emerald crabs would make the problem worse, not control it entirely.

Thank you! It irks me every time when someone asks about bubble algae and usually the first advice they give them is above all don't pop them or they'll release spores.....FALSE! A quick search and you'll see that's not how they multiply, basically if you try and remove it and leave a little piece it will grow from that.

 

[Neo Jeo]

I read the popping it dose nothing different. Dose not spread it

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Let's discuss the removal of another nuisance pest - Bubble Algae. What methods have you used successfully to remove it from your system. The poll is multiple choice and please discuss ideas not mentioned in the poll.

Why don't the polls show up on the app?

 

[cracker]

Maybe it's nitpicking, but technically Vibrant isn't a chemical treatment. Its a biological (bacterial) treatment.

That makes me feel better about trying vibrant on my bubble issue.
I don't even want to start reading about aspects of using vibrant.
It's a fish only. The only coral in there is the rare & exotic Kenya tree .

 

[Jizu Puentes]

Vibrant is the only thing that got rid of my bubble algae for good.

 

[revhtree]

Manual, Vibrant and Emerald crabs have worked for me!!

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Manual, Vibrant and Emerald crabs have worked for me!!

I just bought a Emerald Crab two weeks ago to take care of a few small bubbles an the algae is still there an I haven't seen the crab, I was going to pick up another but I totally spaced it when I was at mt LFS the other day [emoji29]

 

[Cherub]

I've had it in the past but it was always an occasional bubble here and there. I never knew people had plague like conditions with it? It's probably the easiest algae to remove. It comes right off, and doesn't spread if you don't burst the bubbles.

 

[Cherub]

The only coral in there is the rare & exotic Kenya tree .

this made my morning lol tyvm

 

[dbl]

Why don't the polls show up on the app?

They never have. I long ago came to the conclusion just to use the site on a web browser, even when on my phone or tablet.

 

[cracker]

Ok I have used peroxide now that works.But it's on a huge rock that I can't get out of the tank Haven't used H2o2 in a tank yet. I just may try that today I'm in the middle of a W/t at the moment. Ya Ya I know, it's break time ! I did siphon s patch of cyano & removed a couple empty snail shells. Gotta have a good strategy for this delicate operation & requires reflection ;)

 

[mitch91175]

Other: I have a few pieces here and there but nothing major. I do have good nutrient export and it doesn't get out of control. I just leave it alone. I do have a cleanup crew coming in so I am sure it will be food for the emerald crab that is included in the crew.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

They never have. I long ago came to the conclusion just to use the site on a web browser, even when on my phone or tablet.

Lol I have it set on my phone to open with the app out of email now guess when I see polls I'll have to get on my laptop it's basically just a movie machine hooked to my big ole flatscreen

 

[vetteguy53081]

Foxface rabbit and emerald crabs are effective. Emeralds can annoy corals as a caution.
Do not pop them as they can spread.