Getting rid of bubble algae
- Thread starter Jpiotro
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SlugSnorter
2500 Club Member
Emerald and Pitho crabs can help
SlugSnorter
2500 Club Member
Doesn't popping it spread the spores more?
biecacka
Valuable Member
No. There has been some videos released recently that debunk that myth.
www.reef2reef.com
think of it this way, people suggest using fish and crabs to overcome it, correct? Those fish or crabs don’t swallow that bubble whole…..they bust it to eat.
corey
Popping Valonia ventricosa aka Bubble Algae
In October of 2021, I set up 2 saltwater aquariums. One of the aquariums is a 29 gallon "mixed reef" tank and the other is a 10 gallon "coral quarantine" tank. I started each aquarium with dry rock from my local fish store. After researching, I came to the conclusion that I would cycle the...
www.reef2reef.com
think of it this way, people suggest using fish and crabs to overcome it, correct? Those fish or crabs don’t swallow that bubble whole…..they bust it to eat.
corey
I had plague levels of it once upon a time. Manual removal of as much as possible was the best for me. If you keep chipping away at it, you can keep it at bay eventually. Worst thing to do is ignore it
Staying on top of it and grab an emerald.
GarrettT
Well-Known Member
Remove algae manually out of tank, remove them from powerheads if stuck, lower phosphates (if high), get pitho or emerald crabs.
Depending on the severity, dose an algaecide like API Algaefix.
Depending on the severity, dose an algaecide like API Algaefix.
SlugSnorter
2500 Club Member
good to know thanksNo. There has been some videos released recently that debunk that myth.
Popping Valonia ventricosa aka Bubble Algae
In October of 2021, I set up 2 saltwater aquariums. One of the aquariums is a 29 gallon "mixed reef" tank and the other is a 10 gallon "coral quarantine" tank. I started each aquarium with dry rock from my local fish store. After researching, I came to the conclusion that I would cycle the...
think of it this way, people suggest using fish and crabs to overcome it, correct? Those fish or crabs don’t swallow that bubble whole…..they bust it to eat.
corey
With the caveats that come with dosing it (if it's Busan 77, which it likely is, it has a host of toxic effects to more than just algae). I'm assuming that's why you said depending on severity though...sometimes you have to nuke the aliens from orbit, lol
GarrettT
Well-Known Member
I’d say it was needed for my particular situation lol. Haven’t noticed any ill effects. Sps and clams actually looked better during and post treatment, which is probably from the bubble algae no longer blocking flow on the powerheads. I used Vibrant, but heard Algaefix is the same product.
WowzaI’d say it was needed for my particular situation lol. Haven’t noticed any ill effects. Sps and clams actually looked better during and post treatment, which is probably from the bubble algae no longer blocking flow on the powerheads. I used Vibrant, but heard Algaefix is the same product.
chadfish
Active Member
Can you share your experience with nuking with Vibrant?I’d say it was needed for my particular situation lol. Haven’t noticed any ill effects. Sps and clams actually looked better during and post treatment, which is probably from the bubble algae no longer blocking flow on the powerheads. I used Vibrant, but heard Algaefix is the same product.
Did it fix the situation? Was it permanent? Did the bubbles come back? Were your corals affected? How about your biome, do you think that was thrown off? If so how did you remedy it?
vlangel
Seahorse whisperer
Like others I have had bubble algae in the past. Its a pain and a bit unsightly but at least it does not sting coral or wage chemical warfare. I use a syphon hose with rigid tubing on the end and pry and syphon them out of my tank during routine water changes. I have never fully eradicated it but I have managed it to the point that it is not unsightly. I also have ornamental macroalgae in my tank like red titan, red grape caulerpa, ulva, opuntia, cupressoides caulerpa that help compete against it. This is only a solution if you like macroalgae however.
GARRIGA
2500 Club Member
West Palm Beach Reefer
305 Reef Club
MAC of SW Florida
Rock Pool Reef Keepers
Isn't that what the crabs do? Reef Builders did a video exactly on this and that was what Jake Adams said and seemed logical to me.
GARRIGA
2500 Club Member
West Palm Beach Reefer
305 Reef Club
MAC of SW Florida
Rock Pool Reef Keepers
Had bubble once on a rock containing Xenia from an LFS claiming that had no pests. Should have QT but it went into an experimental tank so not too worried. Ended up just throwing that rock away. Seems the problem is now solved. Why QT so important regardless what the source says. Gotta introduce it to have it
GarrettT
Well-Known Member
Really can’t say that vibrate was the main driver, but I believe it may have slowed the growth down giving the crabs enough time to catch up. The algae never turned white, so I question if it was the primary reason. It just started to disappear. I dosed it for 3 months and nothing was affected including corals.
If your algae is bad I would
1.Buy some pitho crabs from reef cleaners
2. Add a filter sock to your drains
3. Try and manual remove as much as you can (doesn’t have to be all of it)
4. Clean powerheads anytime bubbles start to pile up
5. Lower nutrients (po4)
6. Dose an algaecide.
The above fixed my issue and no longer have bubble algae.
I had the same experience as GarretT. Ultimately, needed an algicide as the final prong to the multi prong attack.
From what I have read about bubble algae... is that the bubbles store up nutrients, so it is very difficult to starve this algae out as a single solution. Crabs can get at the little bits here and there in the nooks, but, don't expect them to clear pounds of it. I won my battle with weekly manual removal and emerald crabs. I had to throw out some birds nest corals that just got loaded with it, and I shut down my refugium, where bubble algae had taken over the chaeto. Nutrients were basically undetectable in the tank the whole time.
Ultimately, dosing vibrant weekly (followed the instructions) for 2 or 3 months eradicated it. The only ill effect I have personally noted with vibrant is the appearance of cynao afterwards. But, this is easy to treat. The fear of killing the algae symbionts in the coral is something I did not consider - since back then we thought vibrant was a magic bacteria - LOL.
It has been years at this point and no bubble algae.
From what I have read about bubble algae... is that the bubbles store up nutrients, so it is very difficult to starve this algae out as a single solution. Crabs can get at the little bits here and there in the nooks, but, don't expect them to clear pounds of it. I won my battle with weekly manual removal and emerald crabs. I had to throw out some birds nest corals that just got loaded with it, and I shut down my refugium, where bubble algae had taken over the chaeto. Nutrients were basically undetectable in the tank the whole time.
Ultimately, dosing vibrant weekly (followed the instructions) for 2 or 3 months eradicated it. The only ill effect I have personally noted with vibrant is the appearance of cynao afterwards. But, this is easy to treat. The fear of killing the algae symbionts in the coral is something I did not consider - since back then we thought vibrant was a magic bacteria - LOL.
It has been years at this point and no bubble algae.
One thing I'd like to add is, if you keep your circulation pumps running, remove some manually and it starts floating around the tank. Some will get stuck in rocks, etc...but most ends up stuck to the intake mesh of the pump, where you can then remove the pump and clean the intake. Makes it easier than chasing individual pieces with a net. Alternatively put your net in front of the pump and the bubbles will be blown into the net.
Used Vibrant at the recommended dose. It certainly helped kill my bubble algae and I understand why people use it. Had a pretty bad infestation because I ignored it until it was a bigger problem. Unfortunately, I used mine one year in or so when my biome was still maturing and it knocked everything back to the stone age. Once it died off, got a bunch of ugly brown algae, then a dino infestation, then diatoms. Lots of snail deaths too, which could be attributed to the nitrate release/toxicity of the dinoflagellate/Vibrant all at once. Was pretty demoralizing to go from one problem to another.i still have a bit of bubble algae but now my urchins and crabs take care of what I don't get. I don't want to make this thread into an anti-algaecide crusade, just make sure you try other options first, read directions, and expect odd effects. Also, if you have macroalgae in your refugium, it'll melt.
In the case of bubble algae an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, probably quite literally lol. It's a lot like aiptasia in that respect. Ignore at your peril
Used Vibrant at the recommended dose. It certainly helped kill my bubble algae and I understand why people use it. Had a pretty bad infestation because I ignored it until it was a bigger problem. Unfortunately, I used mine one year in or so when my biome was still maturing and it knocked everything back to the stone age. Once it died off, got a bunch of ugly brown algae, then a dino infestation, then diatoms. Lots of snail deaths too, which could be attributed to the nitrate release/toxicity of the dinoflagellate/Vibrant all at once. Was pretty demoralizing to go from one problem to another.i still have a bit of bubble algae but now my urchins and crabs take care of what I don't get. I don't want to make this thread into an anti-algaecide crusade, just make sure you try other options first, read directions, and expect odd effects. Also, if you have macroalgae in your refugium, it'll melt.
In the case of bubble algae an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, probably quite literally lol. It's a lot like aiptasia in that respect. Ignore at your peril
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