TOTW 1-26-09 Bubble Algae Remover

[Samper]

Well I have had bubble algae forever. It has not become a problem but just a small hassle. They have never been allowed to get out of control but they are persistant little buggers. I made this little rig to help me on my quest. I took 1/4" water line and cut the end off with a razor blade to a point. I then took a needle and pushed it through from the outside to the inside of the tube so that it is more or less parallel with the pointed end of the water line. Using a heavy rubber band I secured the needle and water line together giving myself a small handle with a good grip for control. Then I drilled a hole large enough for the water line to fit through in the top end of a bucket. I cut the excess off attempting to lessen back pressure but allowing enough slack to work. I can then start a siphon and go to work. The tube is large enough that it can suck up most of the small bubbles without breaking them. I use a scraping motion with the tip manipulating the water line with my index finger and thumb and it really works. The needle comes in handy with any larger bubbles. I can poke then suck the bubble into the tube as it collapses. There is enough suction that I don't believe any spores escape it into the display while I do this. The suction is not however so strong that I don't have plenty of time to work before I have filled the bucket. When working around center braces I can just plug the end with my finger and when I release the siphon is ready to go again. I added a small ball valve to the end of the water line resting in the bucket to A. weigh it down so the water goes in the bucket and B. so that I can close it keeping water in the tube for easy siphon starting the next time.

[Poseidon]

that is a great idea! I thought I was going to see a picture of a fish!

[charlie]

Nifty idea, you ought to market them!!!!

[CharlotteSteve]

I use something similar to get cyana off. Just cut a bunch of slits in the tube to create a suction toothbrush. I'll have to try this next time a bubble pops up.

[Lucid]

That's a sweet invention. I am just now getting small clusters of bubble algae and was wondering how to remove without popping. The big ones I could get during water changes with the 5/8" tubing...

[Reefland]

Innovative approach!
Posted via Mobile Device

[zhenya]

That is really simple set up Chuck. Thanks for contributing!
I, unfortunately, get nothing but the golf ball sized bubbles in my tank. And they grow in the places that is almost impossible to reach without breaking some coral branches... :eek3:

[scubadude]

Excellent work Chuck

[Samper]

Thanks guys. I just got a chance to check this but the setup does work. I'm now unfortunately seeing Valonia aegagropila pop up in the schools display. I'd rather the larger Ventricaria ventricosa as I can usually remove these with ease. This is extremely problematic due to the size of the system and amount of rock. I'm just going to stay on top of it and get every one possible with each 30 gallon water change. I do them religiously every two weeks and so far I can't fill up a five gallon bucket with this rig before I can find no more to siphon. I know I'm missing tons of them hidden away in crevices though. When I first began doing this I worried about stupid things like aiptasia and ich which I can easily control at this point. Bubble algae has been my most formidable opponent.

I have also been battling the rhodophyte Botryocladia skottsbergii in one of my 75s here at home. These appear to be even harder to control for me. They rupture extremely easily. The bubble algae won't grow in my refugium for some odd reason possibly lighting related but the B. skottsbergii has no problem with it.

[chssain]

I was about to make one of these after helping chuck spot them out in the schools tank and i realized how good it works, but then i got my powder blue tang. And he wont quit poping the dang things!! So i know he is realeasing all the pores into the water, but i cant really do anything about it?? Ohh and by the way, my bubble algae was donated by chuck!!! LOL THANKS alot for that one!!

[Samper]

I told you to get those two off that one rock a few times. They are a pain but can be managed. We aren't transferring any to your 240.

[charlie]

I told you to get those two off that one rock a few times. They are a pain but can be managed. We aren't transferring any to your 240.

That you know of anyways.