No one has given me the answer i'm looking for on BA

[Markymarklar]

i asked a while ago if anyone new of a natural method of removing bubble algea. all i got weere people saying to do it byhand. there's no way i'm going to remove it by hand. i need a natualr method. will tangs eat it? how about hermit crabs? anything that removes bubble algea? just not hands!

 

[GSchiemer]

i asked a while ago if anyone new of a natural method of removing bubble algea. all i got weere people saying to do it byhand. there's no way i'm going to remove it by hand. i need a natualr method. will tangs eat it? how about hermit crabs? anything that removes bubble algea? just not hands!

The Red Sea/Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii) will eat it. Other tangs may eat it as well,such as the Sohal Tang, but they aren't as reliable as the Sailfin. Emerald crabs (Mithrax sculptus) will also eat it. Many urchins (e.g., Diadema spp.) will also eat it.

Greg Schiemer

 

[Markymarklar]

are there any urchins that wont eat coraline algea but will eat BA?

 

[GSchiemer]

are there any urchins that wont eat coraline algea but will eat BA?

No, but I wouldn't let that stop you. Actually there's one scientific study that says urchin grazing is BENEFICIAL to coralline algae!

Greg Schiemer

 

[Cabreradavid]

Emerald crabs seem to do a decent job. Supplementing by hand would go a long way though in controlling it. If you go the urchin route, keep in mind these critters are like mini out of control bulldozers.

DMC

 

[Markymarklar]

i've already tried emerald crabs

 

[GSchiemer]

i've already tried emerald crabs

Emerald crabs (Mithrax sculptus) definitely work. Are you sure you bought the correct crabs? How large is the aquarium? How bad is the valonia problem? How many emerald crabs are in there?

Greg Schiemer

 

[Anonymous]

I had a small tuxedo urchin and I wouldn't say it was much worse than a big turbo snail. I actually watched it crawl across the face of a maxima, and the clam didn't even close.

And as Greg said- the corraline is no big deal. When your tank is running well it grows all over anyway.

 

[Markymarklar]

did your tuxedo eat bubble algea? i also can't find them anywhere near me

 

[kevinpo]

Naso tangs eat it but they get very large. They also get along well with other fish and tangs. You could borrow one for a couple of months.

HTH,
Kevin