Bubble algae problems

Alright everyone, I've searched the site on this topic and haven't found one good thread as a tell-all about removing bubble algae. I want some opinions and advice here.
After 9 months the tank is doing great... except for some bubble algae. I know it came in on a peice of LR I bought (IMO another case in point for using all base rock!). I currently have 2 emerald crabs that do nothing with it. It is not a huge problem, just a few peices here and there. Several of the peices have died off, but there are some smaller ones that look healthy. My parameters are rock solid. Pretty much it is the last little thing that bothers me about my tank (appearance wise anyways!). You have to search for the algae now that it is so few and far between. Should I wait and see if the rest dies off or what?? I want to post this for my own use and just as much for another resource 3reef.com can offer!

 

get an emerald crab or two, they eat it up like candy.

 

We have an emerald crab and they eat that stuff like crazy.. We brought in some bubble algae on our live rock too and (being new at this) we didnt know that it was not suppose to be their... about 3 months into it, the algae was getting larger and more of it so we went to the LFS and got some of those little guys and they went crazy for it.. Havent seen it sense.. Our tank is 6months old.. Now we battle a different type of algae.. Green hair... blah.. We think we have it almost battled though.. We upped the water changes and cut the lights to half as well as feed the fish a lot less.. I hope this helps some..

 

try Kent Marine Nitrate Sponge, i pulled mine off the rock, added that into the back of my HOB filter, and havnt seen GHA or cyno since.

 

Thanks!! We will try that... We tried the phosphate sponge and it just made our tank really foggy.. The GHA has turned into a horrable out brake.. We know what caused it, now we just need to get ride of it!!:-/ We are now in the process of putting in a refugium tank... We are building it our selfs.. Our tank is 26 gal and the refugium is only going to be about 5ish... Hopefully this will help us out in the long run..

 

LOL! he just mention that he has two emerald crabs that do nothing for it, but like mission said; better to remove by hand hermits and crabs can be hazardous to snails, that are better by far, shell hijackers...lol

 

I find that emerald crabs will only eat the smaller bubble algae. Remove the larger pieces by hand, and even if you end up popping a couple and a few smaller ones end up growing because of it, the crabs should end up eating them anyway.

 

Do you worry about popping it? I've heard 2 theories... one says popping them makes it spread like fire and the other says it doesn't matter. I think that might be my last resort, as my nitrates are at 5 or less and everything checks out great. How often do you have to pick at em? Thanks for the info mission, it is appreciated!

And yes, as mentioned above, I already have 2 emeralds, one small and one big. Neither of them have a taste for bubble algae, large or small. Oh well, they aren't a cure all unfortunately!