Emerald crabs for bubble algae control

[Porcupine Reefer]

I've been having a bubble algae outbreak recently, I was wondering about how many emerald crabs for a 5 foot 125 gallon tank, alternatives are also accepted.

 

[KrisReef]

I like my Foxface, but emerald crabs are also supposed to get after bubbles. I would start with one and see how that goes (and I would get the foxface because it eats anything green) but if one isn't enough then I would add a second crab.

 

[19Mateo83]

I have 3 in my 50 and they only keep their chosen rocks clean. Looking for other options myself. They are cool and don’t pick on other things…. Just not making a big dent

 

[KrisReef]

I have 3 in my 50 and they only keep their chosen rocks clean. Looking for other options myself. They are cool and don’t pick on other things…. Just not making a big dent

Think about a foxface for this situation.

 

[19Mateo83]

Think about a foxface for this situation.

Been thinking about one, not sure if my tank is big enough. It’s only 36x18x18. I would love to have one if I can

 

[ronsonb]

I have emeralds and pitho crabs and still plenty of bubble algae. Me and my Amazon dental picks are the biggest bubble algae predators in my tank. Haven’t ever tried any fish though

 

[KrisReef]

Been thinking about one, not sure if my tank is big enough. It’s only 36x18x18. I would love to have one if I can

Talk with your LFS and get a smaller one that you can exchange when it’s getting too big for your tank.

Once they get algae under control the crab may be enough.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Peppermint Shrimp are your best friends for bubble algae!

 

[RedReefer]

Never had my emerald crabs do much with bubble algae.

 

[west co reefer]

Peppermint Shrimp are your best friends for bubble algae!

Don't you mean aiptasia?

 

[Roatan Reef]

Don't you mean aiptasia?

Yep


My bad...too many beers on this Friday night ...you right! Emerald Crabs do the trick.

 

[Rocky Mountain Reef]

Think about a foxface for this situation.

does it matter which species of fox face....I prefer the orange spot

 

[KrisReef]

does it matter which species of fox face....I prefer the orange spot

My Lo’s are very good but I think they are all good for the job?
Let’s see how others respond.

 

[Uncle99]

Soon as he see that food comes from the sky daily, he won’t touch the bubbles much. Tons of reports of them tasting corals.

The only thing that ever worked for me was Vibrant.
At the recommended level, it took 14 weeks to eliminate the bubbles.

Have not seen a bubble in the following 4 years.

For me, only took out bubble, nothing else affected.

Some report it killed there tanks.

Such a widely debated product.

 

[Rocky Mountain Reef]

Soon as he see that food comes from the sky daily, he won’t touch the bubbles much. Tons of reports of them tasting corals.

The only thing that ever worked for me was Vibrant.
At the recommended level, it took 14 weeks to eliminate the bubbles.

Have not seen a bubble in the following 4 years.

For me, only took out bubble, nothing else affected.

Some report it killed there tanks.

Such a widely debated product.

What's Vibrant?

 

[Uncle99]

What's Vibrant?

Vibrant is a liquid which claimed it removed bubble algae, but has a lot of negative’s according to some.

It did seem to work for me. In 6 weeks green bubbles turned beige and softened. Then, week by week less and less. By almost 4 months, nothing, zero, fully eliminated.

But, there seems to be tons of reports of it crashing systems, or loss of life. It’s hard to say what’s what’s on this product.

One thing for sure, the directions are very specific and need to be followed to the tee., and, it took double the time as suggested on the bottle.

Do a search on this site, tons o& info, pro and con on this controversial product.

 

[saltyfins]

Been thinking about one, not sure if my tank is big enough. It’s only 36x18x18. I would love to have one if I can

get a small one, then rehome it when it's too big

 

[Rothric]

Pithos crabs

I recently added 2 to my 150 gal and they've been making a nice dent into my bubble algae. I had an emerald long ago, but he got a taste for zoas and had to go!

The pithos have been in my tank for a couple weeks now and have been model citizens...so far!