SPS - Eye Candy

Perry · Jun 28, 2024

chipchipbro said:
Nice piece man!
U also have some bubble algae? Man, I have the same issue.. how are you solving it?
I got rid off my foxface and now BOOM.

Bubble, in my case, is tricky. I experienced the exact same scenario, Fox Face outgrew the system, and boom! I have greatly reduced by planned removals.
I have water change water mixed, and a brew of DIY Calcium Carbonate spiked with KZ ZeoBak mixed. I then disable return pump, to isolate bubble to DT. Next, I take a pearing knife, Battlecorals Toothbrush, and top down viewer, and pick, scrub, and manually remove from rocks/plugs out of the water for excavation. Inner tank structure, I let the bubble settle wherever. Once I am satisfied, I kick on powerheads and kwt the stuff fly around, using a small fish net to capture and remove bubble flying around in water column. Once that is removed, I turkey baste to dislodge uncollected bubble. I then remove powerheads and scrub, tons of bubble gathers in the grates.,
After this, I am free and clear of all visible, just focusing on 80% removal, as a goal. Return pump back on, dose my DIY Calcium carbonate. I let this run for a few hours, then skimmer back in service. 24 hours later, I repeat to get the additional uncollected bubble, then water change.
Otherwise, this algae symbiotically exists in high quality acro conditions. I see more reefers kill aquariums with products, as opposed to realizing the bubble algae indicates that acros are going to do well. Yes unsightly, but I just tell people to look closer at my colors, and get over it ;) Afer all, if it doesn't bother me, I certainly can care less if it bothers others, lol...

chipchipbro · Jun 28, 2024

Perry said:
Bubble, in my case, is tricky. I experienced the exact same scenario, Fox Face outgrew the system, and boom! I have greatly reduced by planned removals.
I have water change water mixed, and a brew of DIY Calcium Carbonate spiked with KZ ZeoBak mixed. I then disable return pump, to isolate bubble to DT. Next, I take a pearing knife, Battlecorals Toothbrush, and top down viewer, and pick, scrub, and manually remove from rocks/plugs out of the water for excavation. Inner tank structure, I let the bubble settle wherever. Once I am satisfied, I kick on powerheads and kwt the stuff fly around, using a small fish net to capture and remove bubble flying around in water column. Once that is removed, I turkey baste to dislodge uncollected bubble. I then remove powerheads and scrub, tons of bubble gathers in the grates.,
After this, I am free and clear of all visible, just focusing on 80% removal, as a goal. Return pump back on, dose my DIY Calcium carbonate. I let this run for a few hours, then skimmer back in service. 24 hours later, I repeat to get the additional uncollected bubble, then water change.
Otherwise, this algae symbiotically exists in high quality acro conditions. I see more reefers kill aquariums with products, as opposed to realizing the bubble algae indicates that acros are going to do well. Yes unsightly, but I just tell people to look closer at my colors, and get over it ;) Afer all, if it doesn't bother me, I certainly can care less if it bothers others, lol...

Ok I see..
a pretty handish process for you aswell.
I was considering emerald crabs, but I heard horror stories of people experiencing the emerald's killing their SPS and eating acro polyps. Any experience on your side with emerald crabs?

The problem is.. the foxface would be the best way.. but in a short time he outgrows a tank and then i need to replace him; repeat. Thats delicate... I mean I have a good friend importing fish and he would swap baby fox with the one who outgrown my tank every time. But it feels unfair to the fish....

I have no problem with bubble algae but I just fear an explosion of it one day...

Perry · Jun 28, 2024

chipchipbro said:
Ok I see..
a pretty handish process for you aswell.
I was considering emerald crabs, but I heard horror stories of people experiencing the emerald's killing their SPS and eating acro polyps. Any experience on your side with emerald crabs?

The problem is.. the foxface would be the best way.. but in a short time he outgrows a tank and then i need to replace him; repeat. Thats delicate... I mean I have a good friend importing fish and he would swap baby fox with the one who outgrown my tank every time. But it feels unfair to the fish....

I have no problem with bubble algae but I just fear an explosion of it one day...

Yes and no, the f9x face was just a bandaid. Getting deeper into the microbiome and symbiosis is my deal. My approach is planned, and as to manage. Too many people showcase unrealistic scenarios where things appear perfect. I mean, let me destroy all that makes my water ideal for acros, because a harmless algae coexist. So, I take the easy path, throw chems at it, or try for sterility. Yeah, no thanks, the ecosystem is more important to me, as well as all animals. Pests, pathogens, disease, all proliferate and prevail in weak environments and prey on weak animals. Trying to play god is exactly what destroys these amazing ecosystems, including our land...

Edit: My tank runs me, I serve my reef and it's needs. I am there to provide the system what she needs, not the other way around. The tank is in control, not me ;)