Red bubble algae?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Stephenp84, Apr 19, 2016.

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  1. Stephenp84

    Stephenp84 Plankton

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2016
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Anyone have any experience with red bubble algae? A few spots in my tank have developed this over the coarse of the past month or so (at least that I've noticed). Just wondering if I should be concerned....

    Current tank info:

    75 gal bowfront
    Live corals, seabae anemone, 2 clowns, melenarus wrasse, diamond goby, flame angel, blue hippo tang (I know my tank is too small....). 3 Turbo snails and 2 emerald crabs.
    Honestly, the wrasse was my last addition, but doesn't seem to be picking on the snails/ crabs from what I've seen...
    IMG_1075.JPG

    Ammonia- 0
    Nitrates- 0
    Nitrites- 0
    PH- 8.2
    Temp- 79
    Salinity 1.026
    PH (8.1)- First time since tank's been established that it's been that low...
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2010
    Messages:
    6,344
    Location:
    Dunnellon, Florida
    Looks like Cyano to me.
     
  4. Pickupman66

    Pickupman66 Tassled File Fish

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Messages:
    1,991
    Location:
    Winchester, TN
    I would have to agree. Cyano will trap bubbles of gas underneath it making it look like it makes bubbles

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  5. Stephenp84

    Stephenp84 Plankton

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2016
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Thanks for the clarification. After a little more reading, looks like it certainly is. Time to siphon I suppose...
     
  6. dienerman

    dienerman Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2011
    Messages:
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    Location:
    West Chester, Pennsylvania
    I had that for several months in my last tank. Siphoning, flow adjustment and keeping nutrients in check worked for me... along with a moderate amount of patience. it probably took me 2 months to really fix the issue.
     
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  7. bobbie_urbanczyk

    bobbie_urbanczyk Plankton

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2016
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    2
    Cyanobacteria

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  9. Rhoads238

    Rhoads238 Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    Messages:
    178
    Location:
    Hoboken, NJ
    Yup as others had mentioned its cyanobacteria. Last time I had it in my tank I was able to get it under control fairly quickly by syphoning it into a filter sock that i put in my sump so that the water would pump back through the return. This lets you syphon for as long as you need to and you don't have to worry about wasting salt mix on all the water changes it would require to syphon everything out daily. You could also try doing a three day blackout followed by a big water change. The blackout kills the cyanobacteria and releases the phosphate into the water which is then removed by the water change, it also helps to run GFO when you do this.