Wtf is this ?????

[Lesely]

This little silver ball appeared about 3 weeks ago. Hard as a rock. Never moves. Nothing comes in or out of it. Stuck firmly to rock. Looks like a silver ball bearing glued to a rock. ????

 

[jzaso]

macro algae valonia-i,m sure I did not spell that right (bubble) don,t pop it it will spread

 

[Lesely]

I have had lots of friend with bubble algae and this does not look the same, Its silver in colour and hard like a stone. I have touched bubble algae before and it is slimy and sort of soft, there is some flex in the bubble unlike this.
Is this a different bubble algae to green bubble algae ?

 

[jzaso]

I have the same - I did look it up some sort of macro algae forget the exact name they look pretty wild tho

 

[Lesely]

I have the same - I did look it up some sort of macro algae forget the exact name they look pretty wild tho

HOw does it sread, does it become a problem ? Should I remove it ?

 

[jzaso]

In nutrient rich waters it can become a problem-they burst and release spores I have had three or four in the tank for a least two years don,t seem to spread i,ll take some pictures in the morning, I don,t think you will have any problems your tank looks well maintained you could pull it out- I have popped a few and nothing horrible happened just the potential there if the nutrients are present-

 

[Lesely]

In nutrient rich waters it can become a problem-they burst and release spores I have had three or four in the tank for a least two years don,t seem to spread i,ll take some pictures in the morning, I don,t think you will have any problems your tank looks well maintained you could pull it out- I have popped a few and nothing horrible happened just the potential there if the nutrients are present-

I am amazed that I even have it..nitrates never above 0.02 and phos never abouve 0.03.....I might leave it and see what happens.....i am sad !!!

 

[jzaso]

I would not worry too much -I have also almost undetectable amounts and they have existed in my tanks for years-they can exist you just don,t want them to thrive and multiply-

 

[Lesely]

I would not worry too much -I have also almost undetectable amounts and they have existed in my tanks for years-they can exist you just don,t want them to thrive and multiply-

Cool. Thanks for that. I was panicking. I have seen tanks covered and hate it !

 

[ErinCahir]

... When in doubt pull it out.

 

[jzaso]

You will like this-ventricaria ventricosa- bubble alga,Baensch marine atlas 1 pg 245 -"Impeccable water quality needed to maintain" phosphate and nitrate free water is a necessity"
I guess we want those to thrive! resembles glass marbles one of the largest unicellular organisms on earth, I knew I had looked up just did not know what book- I will take a picture
of what is left in my tank pulled the two I could reach out! still have two...

 

[ReeferRob]

... When in doubt pull it out.

Also known as the Amtrac method. We pull out in time. ;) :D

 

[Lesely]

You will like this-ventricaria ventricosa- bubble alga,Baensch marine atlas 1 pg 245 -"Impeccable water quality needed to maintain" phosphate and nitrate free water is a necessity"
I guess we want those to thrive! resembles glass marbles one of the largest unicellular organisms on earth, I knew I had looked up just did not know what book- I will take a picture
of what is left in my tank pulled the two I could reach out! still have two...

Hi Jzaso....well i like your photo and explaination a lot. But if its a competition I think mine is prettier....lol..
Thanks for the info. I am assuming that you dont believe its a concern ? Its not going to spread all over the tank ?
I have noticed after looking very carefully that there is 1 more on a rock a long distance from the original one, is this bad and am I going to have a major outbreak ?

 

[jzaso]

Honestly I dont know, just quoting what that book said-I,m like you and worry- I watch those like a hawk... have been for a couple of years now that I think of it! I have had seasonal out breaks of halmedia-sea cactus-macro algae supposed to be a good thing but....they are not helping/hurting the system just a sign of good water quality but I tend to remove when I can because I do not believe everything I read.. Lol! your call sir, I,m going with Erin at this point when in doubt -yes yours is prettier only because I pulled my good one..

 

[Lesely]

Honestly I dont know, just quoting what that book said-I,m like you and worry- I watch those like a hawk... have been for a couple of years now that I think of it! I have had seasonal out breaks of halmedia-sea cactus-macro algae supposed to be a good thing but....they are not helping/hurting the system just a sign of good water quality but I tend to remove when I can because I do not believe everything I read.. Lol! your call sir, I,m going with Erin at this point when in doubt -yes yours is prettier only because I pulled my good one..

yeah right,,,you pulled your good one....lol... I believe you. thanks

 

[ReeferRob]

Leave the halimeda alone, it's probably the BEST phosphate and nitrate sink there is. I'd kill to be able to grow it well.

 

[Lesely]

Leave the halimeda alone, it's probably the BEST phosphate and nitrate sink there is. I'd kill to be able to grow it well.

So it won't spread all over the tank is it what we call bubble algae. Because I don't like algae. ?

 

[ReeferRob]

It's probably bubble algae, Emerald crabs will dispatch it in short order.

 

[ReeferRob]

There is also a porcelain crab endemic to Australia that will eat it as well. It's supposed to be very common down there.

 

[jzaso]

If they are soft and filled with fluid it valonia-bad bubble algae-hard and full of gas(nitrogen) good" if there is such a thing-bubble algae-I don,t do crabs anymore had one go rogue
and tear apart a $130.00 fungia to get at the silversides that I fed it-don,t keep shrimp for the same reason they all have no problem reaching into the oral cavity of your lps to steal food-just my experience with them