Tank upgrade 40g.to 125g... And bubble algae.

[Scott Ulrich]

I have 5 tanks and my winter project is going to be moving my fw mbuna out of a 125 gallon into a 55g, and move my 40g SW to the 125g.

The problem is I've been battling (and losing) a war against bubble algae. I was manually removing a bunch of it weekly and not managing the problem. I added some calerpa hoping it would out compete it. Finally gave up on manual removal and it has just over taken every rock. A few days ago I threw away the calerpa and started dosing vibrant. I also have a dozen mangroves in the refugium that are over 2 feet tall and going to hit the ceiling soon in their current location

Since I can get the 125g empty, I was thinking I could start from scratch, get it cycled and then move the fish.

But how do I clean the current corals on frag plugs (as well as the mangroves) so that the bubble algae doesn't hitchhike along? I also have a mushroom that is firmly affixed to one of the rocks.

I'm hoping that a few months of vibrant 2x weekly will eradicate the bubble algae, but I'm not sure if that is overtly optimistic...

Thanks for any suggestions!
Scott

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Bump.

I would just scrub rinse scrub! And frag that mushroom off of the rock.

Hey how do you have those mangroves planted/attached?

 

[Tankkeepers]

No clue just wanted to say thats the most bubble iv ever seen wow hope you get some help and taken care of

 

[Tankkeepers]

Also dont know if you know this but don't transfer any of the water at all as the spores will definatly be in there good luck and about as much help as I can be never really delt with that stuff thank god

 

[Scott Ulrich]

Bump.

I would just scrub rinse scrub! And frag that mushroom off of the rock.

Hey how do you have those mangroves planted/attached?

You can see in this picture when I first got them about 9 months ago, I used two Tupperware containers, ziptied them together and cut holes in the top to hold them until the roots are strong enough.

Also dont know if you know this but don't transfer any of the water at all as the spores will definatly be in there good luck and about as much help as I can be never really delt with that stuff thank god

Yes, it's a mess I guess I just remove it from the frag plugs and rinse everything and pray it it's all off

 

[Tankkeepers]

Better then my old method of tying them with zig zagged fishing line hehe

 

[Scott Ulrich]

Better then my old method of tying them with zig zagged fishing line hehe

I thought about that as an option too! This one worked out pretty good

 

[Scott Ulrich]

I dosed vibrant about 2x weekly for the last month or so and IT'S A MIRACLE!

The 1st picture is the rock that I did some manual removal before water changes, it's pretty much all gone. The second picture is a rock with no manual removal, it is turning whitish and receding, but obviously taking longer.

I picked up an extra 55 gallon so once I move those freshwater fish over, the 125 g will be empty and ready to go

I guess the plan is just to get 2 more 165w blank box lights... I don't want to spend $1000+ on lighting.

 

[Davem24]

I had possibly the worst bubble algea tank out there. I neglected it for too long and literally had nothing but bulble algea. I manually removed the bulk of it and dosed vibrant weekly. It took about 2 months to make an impact. Another month to almost completely irradicate it. I still have the tiniest amount but I suspect another month and it will be gone.

Word of caution, vibrant has had a negative effect on my cheato. Not sure it will on mangroves. Also keep it refrigerated.

Best luck!

 

[Scott Ulrich]

Word of caution, vibrant has had a negative effect on my cheato. Not sure it will on mangroves. Also keep it refrigerated.

Thanks, Dave. Mangroves have been fine, but I did throw away my caulerpa before starting as I read it would kill off macro algae as well. I'm a convert so I plan to keep running vibrant bi-weekly even once the bubble algae is gone.