Can anyone tell me what these are?

loren99999

loren99999

New Member
These black "bubbles" have appeared in my primarily reef 80 gallon tank. I have had the tank set up about nine months and these have appeared on my live rock. Some of them now appear to be empty, but I don't see any new criters in my aquarium. Any ideas on what they are? Other than this cluster, there are a few other scattered around.
THANKS

 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Manually pluck them out before you see more "popped" ones. They pop when they release their spores. The kind you have is pretty easy to remove intact. Be super careful with the ones that look a little while/clear and have "give" to them when pressed on. It's those that have mature spores ready to be released. If they are hard and a nice deep green, popping them won't be much of an issue because they won't contain mature spores.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3255755
Manually pluck them out before you see more "popped" ones. They pop when they release their spores. The kind you have is pretty easy to remove intact. Be super careful with the ones that look a little while/clear and have "give" to them when pressed on. It's those that have mature spores ready to be released. If they are hard and a nice deep green, popping them won't be much of an issue because they won't contain mature spores.

I like bubble algae, it looks like marbles. It is easy to pick out and not allow to over run the tank. I know a guy who had it all over his 225g tank and it took him one day to clear it all out when he was tired of it, and it didn't come back. I don't have it, but why is it such a bad thing?
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Its Green bubble algae. But whats the big deal anyways. My dad has some in his Nano, and its nothing more than something interesting to look at.
Is this another Bristle worm boogyman?
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
It's actually not too bad. Some people find it to be attractive but it is categorized as a nuisance algae.
Remove them carefully and ensure that they do not burst. The bubbles will release spores and as luvmyreef said, spread like wildfire. They are harder than they appear, so don't be too afraid. If one busts, it isn't the end of the world.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Use a siphon hose. Dislodge them with the end of the hose and they will be sucked out with water. Do this at water change time. If they do happen to break with this method the spores will go out through the hose with the water.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
It's a bad thing unless you are looking for a species only tank.... it will eventually smother out everything.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3255802
It's a bad thing unless you are looking for a species only tank.... it will eventually smother out everything.

If one is careful and not allow it to overtake the tank, it is beautiful.
I have found one tiny little one on a rock, and I really like it. If I get more I will keep an eye on it, and not allow it to get too invasive. Some folks say Xenia is a pest but I love the stuff, and keep it in one area of the tank.
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
ive seen bubble algae completely take over a tank even if it was being maintained. so i wouldnt risk it at all
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Tru dat. I've never been bothered by it.... you'll even see it in some of my pictures. But one day I looked closely at the rock and I saw all these mini bubbles. Oops too late. Then it was a problem.
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
yehp, i saw some underneath one of my acans one day and i took to it asap. once its in your tank and infesting, its a major pita to take out. my lfs had to put in 40 emerald crabs in a 40 gallon tank to stop take control of it and it took like a month still
 
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