bubble algeeeee?

[Hookemhorns_98]

This stuff is slowly appearing on every piece of live rock I have...please advise! It has also found a home on my birdsnest coral...I try to pull it off the rocks, but most of it just "pops" and is difficult to remove.

 

[fishfreek]

If it pops like its filled of fluid then it could be some form of bubble algae but the only bubble algae that I am fimular with forms round spheres.

 

[Hookemhorns_98]

anyone...anyone?

 

[steve-s]

Botryocladia sp. (pseudodichotoma) I think

Cheers
Steve

 

[Hookemhorns_98]

any guesses on how to controll it? it is beginning to take over my tank.

 

[steve-s]

About the only means of control is manual removal and greatly limiting the nutrient that feeds it. Primarily PO4 and NO3 will keep it going strong. I do not know enough about this species of algae to recommend a natural predator but I think once the nutrient is kept in check, the algae will die off.

Cheers
Steve

 

[WarOrks15]

dose the emerald crab eat it. i tought i had seen some where that some love to eat it.

 

[steve-s]

I do not believe this is a species of valonia but if so, the mithrax may be of some help. Often they do more to spread it but there is always a chance of that no matter what action you take. Quite honestly I would start with the manual removal and limit the nutrient level first before introducing something with claws...

Cheers
Steve

 

[Hookemhorns_98]

it's almost impossible to remove by hand. It's soft, and extremely slippery. Any pressure and they just pop...which probably results in it spreading.

It's very frustrating