bubble algae removal

Nano · #1 05-12-2012, 02:30 AM

Hey guys, i don't have a bubble algae problem.... yet
but I have had the odd one or 2 pop up in the last month or 2 since buying a frag from a fellow reefer that had some on it. I removed it all before introducing it into the tank, but have had a few poke out here and there since. I remove them when I notice them, but its difficult to get them sometimes with out popping them, which I believe to be prolonging the problem.
my parameters are good
salinity 1.026
nitrats & trites 0
phosphates 0
ammonia 0
calcium is at 420
alk 9
mag 1320-ish

is there a safe way of removing the with out popping them? I am running chaeto as well.. just thought i'd ask, like i said not a lot, just the odd one here and there

thanks!

jtbadco · #2 05-12-2012, 02:51 AM

you could get an emerald crab, which can entail it's own problems, but they will eat the bubble algae

Nano · #3 05-12-2012, 02:53 AM

last one ended up in the sump. May have to free him for a while if it keeps up

heliman206 · #4 05-12-2012, 03:19 AM

My yellow tang took care of mine!

Nano · #5 05-12-2012, 03:25 AM

I have heard that too, but my tanks only 35g

Nano · #6 05-15-2012, 02:58 PM

BUMP!

Anyone one else have so tips for this? dang emerald crab has hidden him self in the refugium and I can hardly get my head under the stand to go hunting for him. any fish for a 35g? or other fixes? I know physical removal and low nutrients (not over feeding) are dead giveaways but what else can I do? I have one that is in an sps colony, and I couldnt get at it if I tried

daplatapus · #7 05-15-2012, 03:06 PM

I now have 4 emerald crabs in my 80 and I rarely see them in there either. Sometimes when my lights go out for the night I'll catch sight of them but that's it. I wouldn't say I have a big bubble algae problem, but I definitely have some for sure. It seems like the crabs don't target the bubble algae but when they come across it they will eat it. So for now I think they have my issue at least in check.

Aquattro · #8 05-15-2012, 04:21 PM

I just use tweezers and pull them out. Stay on top of it, keep nutrients low and you'll be fine.

Nano · #9 05-15-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I just use tweezers and pull them out. Stay on top of it, keep nutrients low and you'll be fine.

thanks Brad, is there actually any harm in popping them? I heard it makes things worse

Aquattro · #10 05-15-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nano

thanks Brad, is there actually any harm in popping them? I heard it makes things worse

No, I haven't found that. And unless you get an emerald crab that swallows them whole, they're still getting popped