Other than Emerald Crabs and Tweezers...

[dave green]

Anyone know a different way to get rid of bubble algae? I don't really want to give my tank crabs (although it seems to be doing well with its Herpes Simplex Aiptaisia).

...and I don't think I want to take the time to go after each bubble with tweezers, either...

ideas?

 

[rbredding]

I leave the bubble algae unless it starts to get out of control..

I think there is a fish that eats it... but can't remember which one..

 

[jonboyb]

I agree in leaving it alone unless it starts to propogate. I had a little in another tank and I threw a couple emeralds in. BA gone in days but as soon as I removed the emeralds it came back in plague proportions. You're not supposed to pop the bubbles but lets face it, emerald crabs burst every single one while eating....no way they can eat them whole. So as soon as they are removed, it's worse than ever.

If it's easy to get too tweezers are awesome but most I've dealt with is always tucked away in never-never land.

 

[ralph atl]

Kalk or superglue

 

[rolo65]

Like Ralph said....you can cover the bubble algea in super glue....let it dry then peel off the super glue....just make sure you peel it off out of the tank if possible....then dip the rock or coral in a quick saltwater rinse....as to try to not get the bubble juice back in the tank....and I think naso tangs will eat bubble algea sometimes too(not positive though)....I have some at the base of a coral I'm about to super glue

 

[brianjfinn]

I'm pretty sure it's an old wives tale that popping the bubble algae will make it spread. I've popped plenty in my 20 gallon and have had no problem with it sprouting up in other places. Any time it gets eaten by something, it'll be popped open, and I'm pretty sure that they do not reproduce by releasing spores when they pop.

 

[jef4y]

brianjfinn;590698 wrote: I'm pretty sure it's an old wives tale that popping the bubble algae will make it spread. I've popped plenty in my 20 gallon and have had no problem with it sprouting up in other places. Any time it gets eaten by something, it'll be popped open, and I'm pretty sure that they do not reproduce by releasing spores when they pop.

I read the same a while back that popping a piece of bubble algae is not the doom & gloom that many people make it out to be. Yes, spores get released into the water column, but most are washed out in an overflow and skimmed off or end up getting eaten by fish or other tank inhabitants. Still more land in inhospitable areas of the tank. It actually takes a pretty good bit of luck for it to spread.

 

[jcook54]

I've had a small group of it that resides on the return nozzle from my canister filter. Once in a while it will be gone/deflated but it always comes back. I haven't made any attempts to get rid of it since it hasn't spread to any other parts of my tank.

 

[rbredding]

I have removed them by hand without incident..

 

[jaredloo]

By hand. Cover them with kalk. Emeralds (but like others have said, have to keep them in from then on. Chip off the piece of rock they are attached to.