Weird ball

[Bifferwine]

Hi,
On one of my live rocks (and it's always this one particular rock), there are several hard silver bubbles that come and go. They grown in size, and shrink, and grow again, and they appear in different places on the rock. The largest ones are about the size of a marble (or a chickpea or garbanzo bean). I've poked at them, and they are hard, but appear to be hollow inside. They are metallic silver in appearance. Does anyone know what these are? I can post a picture if no one knows what it is from my description. I'm stumped. Thanks!

 

[jhnrb]

well if it were green I would say a type of valonia algae, but silver, will need a good picture.

 

[squibley2]

I would say they are a type of bubble algae which can appear to be silver in color depending on light.

 

[minireefer]

I would agree with the above.Another possibilty could be oxygen bubbles,If it bubble try not to pierce them as it will spread.I have had good luck astrea snails eating the stuff.Also you suck them up with a turkey baster(A must have for every reefer).

 

[Bifferwine]

Hi,
Here is a picture of one of the weird silver balls. I had to paste it in a word document first, is there a way to upload the jpg? I know, I know, the hair algae has been out of control since I got my new lights, I'm working on it. I tried popping the ball, it's really hard like a marble. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture, it's hard to get a clear photo of something that small, especially with my cheapo camera. Thanks.

 

[squibley2]

That is bubble algae alright. An emrald should take care of them for you.

 

[Bifferwine]

Thanks! I have two emeralds, they don't seem to want to touch it! Or maybe there's so much hair algae right now that they don't know where to start...

 

[jhnrb]

Sounds like you have figured it out. good luck keep us posted.

 

[minireefer]

If you just want it gone. You can try sucking it out with a turkey baster