Chemical solution for bubble algae? (1 Viewer)

[SheldonC_]

Unfortunately, I've been plagued with an outbreak of bubble algae in my 10g. I tried a pitho crab but with no success, and it's obviously too small for something like a rabbitfish. Are there chemical additives that work for eliminating it? I don't have any decorative macro algae that needs to be saved, so nuke it all....

 

[asifiqbal2]

Razor or Vibrant
I haven’t used it myself but have read about people’s experiences. Affect on corals vary my guess is how heavy handed the dosage is

 

[zoolan70]

Go get a few pithos crabs. Once the algae is under control, rehome them. They cleared out my cube in a few days. You might have just gotten a dumb one.

 

[H2OHOH]

Are those lithos crabs common….does anyone know if anyone has some locally

 

[Jposch]

I've used fluconazole at very high doses, and while it killed almost all of bubble algae, it can't kill.it all 100%, and itll come back with a vengeance. I've found that nitrate and especially ammonia REALLY fuels bubble algae.
Your best options are pithos or emerald crabs. Might have to go through a couple of each before you get one that is effective. As @zoo said, you can end up with some dumb ones. Lol

 

[spsick]

Are those lithos crabs common….does anyone know if anyone has some locally

Strangely, for being so effective they seem to be less common and I haven’t seen that at LFS.

 

[Crum]

Are those lithos crabs common….does anyone know if anyone has some locally

We have them at MN aquatics!

There isn't any chemical solution. Just good ol manual labor or finding a critter that eats them. Honestly though, bubble algae is not as big of a deal as some other algaes are. And the whole "popping them spreads them" is a myth.

Definitely don't use vibrant. It's just algaecide. They were sued recently for false advertising an herbicide.

 

[H2OHOH]

I’ve been meaning to come check out the store

 

[asifiqbal2]

Me too

 

[zoolan70]

I was just there this weekend! Super nice store and great staff. Well worth the drive.

 

[Cnshoe]

I used the protocol that the guy on Parkers Reef (Youtube) Recommended. Had a healthy amount of bubble algae all over the tank. Been well over a year with no signs of it returning, fingers crossed.

 

[asifiqbal2]

What’s the protocol

 

[zoolan70]

 

[Cnshoe]

Yup that is it. Worked for me. Zero losses anywhere coral wise as well. Worked fantastic!


Edit- Just an FYI I had fairly invasive bubble algae. It was on every rock and for some reason all over the sand bed which I have never had before. Had enough of it and could not fight it manually anymore. Tank is thriving now and seems way more balanced with healthy algae/bacteria.

 

[zoolan70]

Here is some info using more readily available products.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/continuum-aquatic-bacter-clean-m.1013182/