Bubble Algea everywhere...

[sandytoes]

Hey guys...I have bubble algea growing almost out of control. What is the accepted procedure for ridding youself of this stuff? I have 30 lbs of live rock in my 30 gal and it's really becomming an eye sore. I don't have any corals, just fish.

 

[Anonymous]

Many emerald crabs feast on valonia. I have one, however, that does not. What fishies do you have in your tank?

Removing it by hand is difficult, because accidentally "popping" a piece of bubble algae is the same as blowing the seeds off of a dandelion.

 

[joekr]

I would buy two emeralds and hope that at least one is interested in the bubble algae. Then as they grow, sell one back to the LFS. I have one in my 20 right now and he is pretty big. He does eat seaweed pellets out of my hand and eats bubble algae, so I think I'll keep him around.

 

[sandytoes]

Where I live it is hard to find any emeralds. I have two clowns and one yellow tail damsel and an algea blenny. What is the possibility of taking the rock out and cleaning it?

 

[Bone]

While I've never seen an Emerald crab take on a mature valonia, they do help eliminate them. I think they eat the seeds.

I got rid of valonia by removing as much as possible by hand. I'd did this every time I did a water exchange. Suck them and their seeds out with a syphon. Also, add a few Emerald crabs and soon enough the valonia will be under control, if not entirely gone.

I believe the Emeralds are key in preventing valonia insurgency. If you just clean the rocks and put them back without the Emeralds the valonia will be back!

 

[sandytoes]

Thanks everybody!!
If I decide to go the removal route, do you just take the rocks out and scrub them in salt water or is there more to it than that? I really don't want to have to go to the trouble and just spread the seeds all over the place again.

 

[fishfanatic2]

From the little I had, I found that one of the best ways to get rid of it manually is to sweep a razor blade on the rock and gently detach them. What you will get is a bunch of floating bubbles that can easily be siphoned.

 

[SnowManSnow]

<-- waiting on Bob

 

[fishfanatic2]

<-- waiting on Bob

:lol:

 

[_range_]

Emerald crabs worked well for me when I noticed bubble algae in my 20 gallon, but with every crab you should be cautious. All crabs are scavengers and if adequate food is not provided for the amount in your tank don’t be surprised if they start to pick on corals, inverts (I once watched an emerald tear a couple pieces off a feather duster – luckily it didn’t suit his taste), and fish. I purchased mine through www.reeftopia.com and was pleased with the experience. Although I’d recommend an Emerald crab, I feel it is better to deal with the source of the problem – nutrients. The most proven method would be RO/DI water changes, but there are always other options.

 

[sandytoes]

Thanks for the link...I do weekly 5 gallon changes with RO but the bloody stuff is still there. I'm planning on getting and Emerald crab or two.

 

[Oceans Ferevh]

I bought two Emerald crabs and found out that one was female and the other male. The male had large claws and was very lazy about food. He would steal fish food and beg. He eventually died because of it...but not before knocking up the lady. :lol: Hence how I know which was which. The female eradicated all the bubble algea though and is alive to this day. No problem with her ever.

So...look for the females. They are smaller and have tiny pinchers.