Overflow Filled w/Bubble Algae

[pesto]

My mandarin decided to jump into the overflow. So, when I went in there to get him it was filled with bubble algae. I have no algae anywhere in my else in my tank, refugium or sump (except cheato, of course). Is this anything to be concerned about?

I use RO/DI for all water fill and changes and my parameters are excellent.

 

[naturebatslast]

Yup, it's probably a sign of a phosphate issue. I'd remove what you can (manually or scraping/siphoning) and check your phosphates. I've heard some remark that popping the bubbles is bad but personally I haven't seen a bloom after a manual removal.
An easy (but slow) fix is growing macro algae like chaeto to have a form of nutrient export.

 

[pesto]

I have very healthy mass of cheato in my refugium and sump/refugium. My phosphates are tested weekly and have always been 0. I did remove all traces of the bubble algae in the overflow.

 

[joanstone]

I'd be curious to know if it comes back. I've got a lot in my system now, even with phosphates measuring 0, nitrates measuring 0 and tons of macroalgae. I just changed my bulbs as well. It seems like once it's established it's there to stay unless you can physically remove it like you've done.