bubble algae

[at]

My tank has a really big group of bubble algae on the right side. I have read that a yelllow tang will eat but that is not the case here . I am trying to find a natural solution to this , as I speared them all I but somehow they have all come back with a vengence. Peppermint shrimp ate my aiptaisia, what will kill bubble algae (valonia)?

[RWalston]

In my experience nothing. Manual removal is the best remedy. Some people try emerald crabs but that is hit or miss. Emerald get large after awhile and start to go after sps polyps and other things. Good flow helps water changes help. with good water quality and removal they will disappear in time.

[jerryc]

My tank has a really big group of bubble algae on the right side. I have read that a yelllow tang will eat but that is not the case here . I am trying to find a natural solution to this , as I speared them all I but somehow they have all come back with a vengence. Peppermint shrimp ate my aiptaisia, what will kill bubble algae (valonia)?

If by speared them you mean popping them?? don't you need to get them out with out popping them or you will just spread it.
Try vacuuming them out with a hose

[lReef lKeeper]

you DO NOT want to pop the bubbles. if you do they release pores of smaller algae and you will have an outbreak before you know it.

[ReefNeck]

Emerald Crabs have always worked for me.

[lReef lKeeper]

emeralds work for me too. but as Rich said they are hit and miss. i think they work for me because that is all they have to eat in the tanks where i get them from. if you can find them eating bubble algae in the LFS tanks then they should eat it in you tank.

[mutts]

my emerald didn't work for me. so my advice get that bubble algae out asap! i made the mistake of trying to find an easyer way to get them out and kept putting it off. well i have such a bad problem that when i get my new tank set up i am going to have to take down my 55 gal. there is bubble algae everywhere, not pretty. it has killed corals and my micro algae, i even have it on the backs of my snails!!!! so if i were you i'd get that stuff out

[lReef lKeeper]

when you do a water change, use the old water to scrub the rocks that the algae is on. DO NOT put it back into the tank or sump. because when you pop the bubbles the send little bubble algaes out to start another colony. doing this you should be ok but if you have a major algae problem then it is gonna take a while. if it is major, just be sure to keep the rocks that you are not scrubbing wet to minimize die off.

[at]

I have been gone for a couple of days, and was amazed to see all the replies. I have a thing with 3 prongs on it that a buddy made to get rid of a mantis shrimp. I used too use that too get rid of the bubble algae also,but now the shrimp is gone , I guess I should just step up the spearing process. Bobby said do not pop the bubbles but that has always kept them under control until now. Maybe I should just go postal and kill everyone of them in the tank. Before I would leave a small clump alive, stupid idea I guess.

[lReef lKeeper]

if you pop them this is what happens. when the nutrient level rises enough for them to come out ... they do, and in serious numbers.