Bubble Algae-Algae-3reef Forums

Pipe_Organ · 03-01-2004, 02:21 AM

After two years of maintaining an almost problem free tank I started getting outcrops of Bubble Algae. The cause most likely was water quality or the lack of it. Thanks to the help from members of this Forum in figuring this out. Unfortunately the algae doesn't just go away. So on a regular basis I have to "harvest" it so it doesn't overrun the corals. I use a dental hygiene tool I got from my dentist. I attach it to a 3/8 ID tube which is part of a siphon. As I pick the bubble algae off the rock it gets sucked into a bucket. The maintenance was about 2 hrs. /day. along with routine water changes. A month later I'm down to 3 times a week. I hope your tank never gets this problem, however if it does, the dental hygiene tool really works great. Dentists throw them out after awhile because they become dull. My dentist gave me the one I have. They're stainless steel so you don't have to worry about rust or corrosion.

NUGIO · 03-01-2004, 05:03 AM

Great tip! karma! Ive seen a few bubles here and there in my tank also

Pipe_Organ · 03-01-2004, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the Karma....and according to Julian Sprung if you break the bubbles the spores are caught by the protien skimmer :-)

fishgills · 03-07-2004, 09:30 AM

Hi to all, these guys are great for bubble algae here's a little info on them,-------Emerald crabs are small, usually one half inch to 2 inches for the carapace width. Emerald crabs are usually deeper green when they are younger and eating more greens. The green fades to grey as they age and begin to scavange more. Emerald crabs have "shovel-like" claws as opposed to the sharp pointy claws of more predatory crabs. and if you look were the claw bends you'll see a red spot, thats a true Emerald crab. [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

Pipe_Organ · 03-07-2004, 12:27 PM

Hi Fishgills,

I tried Emerald crabs, a Redsea Sailfin Tang, and a Sea Urchin. Nothing seems to eat it. They all poked at it but it's been me an my dental tool that's been getting the job done. I live for the day when maintainance goes down to once a week. It's been a hard lesson not to let my water quality go down.

tdevil · 03-07-2004, 12:42 PM

glad to see you are starting to win the battle, Pipe-Organ, and that is a good tip ont eh dental tool

with emerald crabs, they will usually eat it, but it can be hit and miss, i dont like recomending a critter to clean the algae, etc.. most of the time certin critters need this stuff to survive and when it is gone so are the critters, not the same w/ emeralds
the point is, most dont think about the long term (which is easy to do)
FYI, emeralds have been known to kill zoanthids and other mat type corals, not meaning to harm the corals, they are just trying to get at the rock below the coral

td

DirkDiggler · 03-07-2004, 02:20 PM

Anyone looked at this?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=250365

They seem to say bubble alge does not have spores. They are one of the largest single celled plants.. I don't know.

I just popped mine. Worked fine. Read the thread though interesting point at the end.

DD

Craig Manoukian · 03-07-2004, 03:19 PM

I nuke mine with muriatic acid. It's real fun!

Pipe_Organ · 03-08-2004, 03:49 PM

Doesn't the muriatic acid make your protien skimmer go nuclear. I used Mur. acid to kill aiptasia and I had to shut the Protein skimmer down. Thanks to everyone for the tips and links. Matt.. I like how you think :-)

Craig Manoukian · 03-08-2004, 04:42 PM

I just use a 50/50 mixture of muriatic acid and hot water and a small syringe and needle, no problems here.