Bubble algea eater??

Discussion in 'Algae' started by slowleak, Jan 22, 2010.

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  1. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

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    toothbrush it, but it will grow back!

    red bubble is my trouble.. I introduced it when I got 1 new rock and it spread all over the place.. you dont want it man!
     
    Night-Rida, Jan 22, 2010
    Night-Rida, Jan 22, 2010
    #11

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    It's no fun to have. What kind do you have? Tangs and emeralds are good for some kinds of "bubble algae" but, not others. Ventricaria ventricosa was never appetizing to any of my herbivores. Valonia macrophysa has been known to be eaten by emeralds on the other hand. It's a lttle more complicated than simply adding a crab or tang. FWIW ventricaria ventricosa aka "sea pearl" is the reason I went with such a controlled cycle on my current nano.
    Here's a good link on "bubble algae"
    'Bubble' Alage: Selected Descriptions, Controls and Comments by Horge Cortes-Jorge, Jr. - Reefkeeping.com
    EDIT: This is why I mentioned your hands as being your best defense. Manual removal was the only way for me. Keep an eye on parameters.
     
    missionsix, Jan 22, 2010
    missionsix, Jan 22, 2010
    #12
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  3. szrazzt

    szrazzt Purple Spiny Lobster

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    If you take very small gravel vac you can syphon off the bubble algae. You do have to get the entire thing and try really hard not to let them pop when you scrape them from the rocks.
     
    szrazzt, Jan 23, 2010
    szrazzt, Jan 23, 2010
    #13
  4. slowleak

    slowleak Feather Duster

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    It appears to be Ventricaria ventricosa. Geuss I'm going with the old fashioned, hands on approach
     
    slowleak, Jan 23, 2010
    slowleak, Jan 23, 2010
    #14
  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    To be honest, if I had to pick, I'd take ventricaria ventricosa. When they are large, they are easy to pluck out. Sometimes though, they wedge themselves into rocks.
     
    missionsix, Jan 24, 2010
    missionsix, Jan 24, 2010
    #15
  6. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    I have not seen yellow tangs eat it.
    Now sailfin tangs will, and are probably the best eater of valonia, but many tanks ccannot handle a fish that gets a foot long.

    Some say that the red sea (desjardni) will only eat bubble algae, but mine is not 100% certain to be a desjardini, but it eats bubble algae quickly. I think my sailfin might be a red sea crossed with a pacific. It has traits of both species.

    Emerald crabs will eat it and not spread the algae around the tank from what I have personally seen, but the best way to do it is manually remove as much as possible without breaking the bubbles in the tank water.
     
    horkn, Jan 24, 2010
    horkn, Jan 24, 2010
    #16

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  7. stonewilled

    stonewilled Feather Duster

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    reefcleaners.org guarantees their emerald crabs eat bubble algae.
     
    stonewilled, Jan 25, 2010
    stonewilled, Jan 25, 2010
    #17
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