Bubble algae

bcb577 · 06/06/2019, 01:21 AM

I’ve had bubble alge in my 14 biocube for the last few months for the most part the bubble Algeria congregates loosely in one are of my tank which I either duo hen or manually remove it with a net, I think I know why it’s soreadinf so fast my tuxedo orchid rolls over it sticking it to itself to camouflage itself thus popping the algee releasing the spores . My question is is there anything I can add to the tank other than green emerald crabs to stop this infiltration! Right now I can only contain it but getting very frustrated

mcgyvr · 06/06/2019, 06:26 AM

Products like reef flux or vibrant can help rid a tank of bubble algae..
What are your nitrate and phosphate numbers? Keeping them low will also help

Wiskey · 06/07/2019, 08:46 AM

I struggle with bubble algae off and on in my 75 gallon, when it starts coming back I know I need to add a couple more emerald crabs. They do a great job in my system.

Whiskey

hbnano714 · 06/07/2019, 10:32 AM

Are emerald crabs reliable for eating bubble algae? I've heard they can be hit or miss.

VWD · 06/07/2019, 10:39 AM

I think they are pretty hit and miss as far as bubble algae. I think most thing we place in our reefs to rid pest tend to not really be effective. JMO

billdogg · 06/07/2019, 02:39 PM

After many months of manual removal and losing the battle badly, I started dosing Vibrant at 1.5x the suggested dosage weekly. I didn't notice any change at all for a few weeks, then all of a sudden it just started turning whitish and within a couple more weeks was gone completely. I now dose vibrant at 1x about once a month and haven't seen a single bubble in at least 6-8 months.

VWD · 06/07/2019, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

After many months of manual removal and losing the battle badly, I started dosing Vibrant at 1.5x the suggested dosage weekly. I didn't notice any change at all for a few weeks, then all of a sudden it just started turning whitish and within a couple more weeks was gone completely. I now dose vibrant at 1x about once a month and haven't seen a single bubble in at least 6-8 months.

Good deal, I have a small patch of bubble and may give that a try.

MattyO · 06/07/2019, 03:44 PM

Dealing with Bubble Algae, I had an issue with my ATS going down and it really got bad... now it’s back up and running a few days I’m looking to give it a month or so and perhaps dose vibrant, not sure how it will effect the ATS though

Tripod1404 · 06/07/2019, 04:12 PM

Vibrant also worked for me. However it takes a long time to work (at least within recommended doses). For me, it took close to 1.5-2 months to start working and BA disappeared around 4 months mark.

crn005 · 06/10/2019, 10:43 AM

I'm with the others. Vibrant has never failed me in any battle with bubble algae.

crn005 · 06/10/2019, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyO

Dealing with Bubble Algae, I had an issue with my ATS going down and it really got bad... now it’s back up and running a few days I’m looking to give it a month or so and perhaps dose vibrant, not sure how it will effect the ATS though

The vibrant will compete with the hair algae. They claim they have special types of bacteria that actually target algae and attack it, but I'm not sure how much it effects hair algae. It certainly does for bubble algae though. Either way, it's nitrifying bacteria and it will compete with any algae for resources. Your scrubber might struggle while you're dosing.

Joe0813 · 06/12/2019, 04:56 PM

my wife has bubble algae in her redsea 170. bought two emerald craps and they didn't even touch it. just started using vibrant last week. hoping to see some results soon

smatter · 06/13/2019, 02:15 PM

Don't worry about popping them. Herbivores that eat them don't.

06/06/2019, 01:21 AM	#1
bcb577 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Whitehall ohio Posts: 219	Bubble algae I’ve had bubble alge in my 14 biocube for the last few months for the most part the bubble Algeria congregates loosely in one are of my tank which I either duo hen or manually remove it with a net, I think I know why it’s soreadinf so fast my tuxedo orchid rolls over it sticking it to itself to camouflage itself thus popping the algee releasing the spores . My question is is there anything I can add to the tank other than green emerald crabs to stop this infiltration! Right now I can only contain it but getting very frustrated

06/06/2019, 06:26 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Products like reef flux or vibrant can help rid a tank of bubble algae.. What are your nitrate and phosphate numbers? Keeping them low will also help __________________ Who me?

06/07/2019, 08:46 AM	#3
Wiskey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 3,049	I struggle with bubble algae off and on in my 75 gallon, when it starts coming back I know I need to add a couple more emerald crabs. They do a great job in my system. Whiskey __________________ This video shows 15 months of coral growth in my tank in a 30 second timelapse: https://youtu.be/bF6C57aTDEo

06/07/2019, 10:39 AM	#5
VWD Smelly fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Denham Springs, LA Posts: 262	I think they are pretty hit and miss as far as bubble algae. I think most thing we place in our reefs to rid pest tend to not really be effective. JMO __________________ Vince 120 RR Bare Bottom & 56 Bean animal connected to one sump. Life Reef external/blueline 40 HDX, Carbon reactor, GFO reactor, proton 48 led, 2 Kessils 160we tuna blue on 120 & 6 HQ t-5 on 56, b

06/07/2019, 02:39 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	After many months of manual removal and losing the battle badly, I started dosing Vibrant at 1.5x the suggested dosage weekly. I didn't notice any change at all for a few weeks, then all of a sudden it just started turning whitish and within a couple more weeks was gone completely. I now dose vibrant at 1x about once a month and haven't seen a single bubble in at least 6-8 months. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/07/2019, 10:32 AM	#4
hbnano714 Registered Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 28	Are emerald crabs reliable for eating bubble algae? I've heard they can be hit or miss.

06/07/2019, 03:44 PM	#8
MattyO Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 800	Dealing with Bubble Algae, I had an issue with my ATS going down and it really got bad... now it’s back up and running a few days I’m looking to give it a month or so and perhaps dose vibrant, not sure how it will effect the ATS though __________________ ~300G System, 180+ 90 plumbed to 75G Sump.. in the making

06/07/2019, 04:12 PM	#9
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	Vibrant also worked for me. However it takes a long time to work (at least within recommended doses). For me, it took close to 1.5-2 months to start working and BA disappeared around 4 months mark.

06/10/2019, 10:43 AM	#10
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	I'm with the others. Vibrant has never failed me in any battle with bubble algae.

06/12/2019, 04:56 PM	#12
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	my wife has bubble algae in her redsea 170. bought two emerald craps and they didn't even touch it. just started using vibrant last week. hoping to see some results soon __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

06/13/2019, 02:15 PM	#13
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	Don't worry about popping them. Herbivores that eat them don't.