Explanation please

[Myka]

I have been able to eradicate it in several tanks. How big is your tank?

The spores are only viable if the popped bubble is mature. If the bubble is hard still it is not mature.

[dino]

just be careful when working with acid and muriatic acid will definitely effect ph as that's what we use to lower ph at our pools. but in small amounts im sure it can be minimal

[philg3]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

I also use muriatic to dispose of... Organic material.

hahhahahahaha

[DAVE]

Originally Posted by Cujo#31

Muriatic acid gasses off very quickly and does not impact Ph or other levels like some other treatments will. Just be careful, anything in the direct path of any gas-off bubbles will also be exposed to the acid.

Not sure I agree with that statement. Muriatic acid in IME does effect pH quite a bit even in small amounts. It is a strong acid that should be used carefully and safely.

[Frogger]

I recently had bubble algae come in on about half a dozen Nassarius snails I purchased from local fish store. It wasn't on them when I put them in the tank but about 3 months later I started noticing the algae on the snails.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by DAVE

Not sure I agree with that statement. Muriatic acid in IME does effect pH quite a bit even in small amounts. It is a strong acid that should be used carefully and safely.

Agreed! Even 10 mL of muriatic acid in 60 gallons of new SW will bring the pH down to high 6's or low 7's for several hours! Muriatic acid should NEVER be used in a running tank.

[CHEAPREEF]

Muriatic Acid will also drive your ALK down in a big hurry, that is how I adjust my WC water if I am doing anything bigger than 10%. Takes very little to drop ALK and PH by a few points, be very careful with it if you do use it for anythign SW related.

[strezman]

Tank is only 30 gallons. I didn't know it was only mature bubbles that release spores?? That's interesting. And mature ones become soft? I'm leaning lots here! Thanks!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by strezman

Tank is only 30 gallons. I didn't know it was only mature bubbles that release spores?? That's interesting. And mature ones become soft? I'm leaning lots here! Thanks!

You don't have a lot of options for predation then. I've tried various urchins and no luck there at all. Large male Emerald Crabs are one of the best options, but be aware they may also catch small fish. The females won't catch fish because their pincers are too small, but they are not as good for eating Bubble Algae. If you add enough Emerald Crabs they will eradicate Bubble Algae. Many Tangs and Foxface eat Bubble Algae too, but even a tiny one is not suitable for a 30-gallon tank.

If you have the type of Bubble Algae that forms large bubbles you'll have to manually remove those. Emerald Crabs won't eat anything more than 3/8" or so.

Also be aware, as with any algae, when predation is used to eradicate it, the animals poop all the algae nutrients into the tank, so this can create a never ending cycle if you don't remove the nutrients from the tank with effective water changes. I think this is why people blame "Emerald Crabs made it worse". Lazy Reefer Syndrome.