Must get rid of bubble algae; in need of full proof method.

[Tenchi]

The stuff is really getting everywhere. I have already bought three mythrax crabs for my 72 gal reef. However, it's been a month and they ignore the stuff. I also know about the Desjardini tangs, but I think 72 gal is too small for a tang. So besides scaping, what else can I do? Please help!

 

[914]

the best. most sure-fire way to get rid of Valonia is to make use of the old stand-by "two-finger tang"

simply pluck the stuff, carefully.

puncturing it is rumored to spread it (seeds/spores), but to be honest i've never noticed much of a difference.

feed less and pluck more.

sorry!

 

[erasmu]

I have some starting in my tank too unfortunately. The best method I have run into so far is to siphon it out during water changes. Rub the siphon hose against the bubbles to break them loose and they get sucked away. Plus, if one breaks, most of what may be released is removed as well. I wish there were a better way. I don't think the crabs will make a dent in an expanding popualtion. I think the tangs would probably ignore it as well.

 

[danmhippo]

This article should help you. It is actually very informative for all.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/h ... /index.htm

 

[erasmu]

Thanks for the link danmhippo. It was very informative, even if it does not give an easy magic solution. It will help greatly in dealing with this problem. Thanks again.

 

[Tenchi]

Thanks everyone, and thank you damnhippo. I'm thinking of trying an urchin. If that dosen't work, I'm gonna have to chisle it all off.

 

[erasmu]

I just finished a water change earlier this afternoon. While I did not have a stainless steel screw driver available yet, I was pretty successful in removing the bubble algae with a plastic fork, my fingers, and the siphon hose. I missed a couple of bubbles, but am pretty pleased with the result. Now I will see how quickly it comes back.

 

[Philippe Dor]

In the Us I know everybody hates these things and is trying to get rid of them, but here in Australia I noticed that tourists actually noticed these bubble algae almost before anything else in my lease tanks, so I actually tried to breed them in my backyard coral propagation set up. Depending in which box I popped them, I had sometimes good success, sometimes very little, and the only 3 animals in these boxes that could have had any influence on the propagation of these bubble algae were: thousands of turbo snails, thousands of bristle worms, and thousands of amphypods, all breeding at different densities in each different box (4' by 8'). I have no idea which one of the 3 is best, or which combination is best, take your pick and start breeding them in your refuge. Good luck, PhilDor.

 

[tlc]

i tried it all
snails, mithrax, water changes, you name it.
my 3 dollar tweezers work best. my tank is slowly being rid of the beasts. i only spend about 10-15 minutes a week now on about 300 gallons. think of it as weeding a garden...