Bubble algea? good/bad?

[JWolfgang]

I have what looks like little bubbles with algea on them. I was told its bubble algea? I have no idea Its on a couple of pieces of live rock I just got in. It's cured rock, if that helps? I need to know if its bad or good, and what eats it, someone said not to pop it?

I'm new to salt, this is my 1st setup and I'm loving it , I already have a 20H in the works


Thanks

Jamie

 

[cmador]

Not really bad, more of a nuisanse in that it can grow and spread quickly. Don't pop 'em in the tank. Either remove the rock and remove them outside the tank or get an emerald crab - they eat bubble aglea.

 

[JWolfgang]

Are emerald's expensive? I need things that are fairly easy to keep for starters.

I don't want to have to take the rock out of the tank if I don't have too. It has soft corals attached to it. Zenia's I think

Thanks
Jamie

 

[cmador]

Emeralds should cost around 6 bucks? A lot of people keep them as part of their cuc because they feed on most nuisance algae - mine even eats hair algae. Try and get a female (smaller claws) as they tend to be less aggressive.

 

[JWolfgang]

Thanks, I'm going to go to Salty Critter when the time comes to get a CUC.

What happens if the bubbles get popped? I take it, its not good, but I'm curious.

Jamie

 

[cmador]

When bubbles pop = spores are released and spread.

 

[itZme]

OK does anybody have any idea how the Emerald crabs eat bubble algae without popping them? I have never seen them swallow whole bubbles through their tiny little mouths. :lol:
This is a discussion I have had with others and they always say " I don't know why it's ok for the crabs to pop them but not us." I don't think the crabs can keep the spores from spreading in the current and better than we can.

Just my 2 cents. I am willing to entertain ideas on this but don't see any logic behind it.

-- Kevin

 

[johndawg]

Maybe once they pop them and the spores spread, they can keep up with the little ones prior to them getting big enough to see?

 

[MJAnderson]

Kevin,

Mine carry little straws to suck the spores out.

 

[itZme]

That explains it then ... thx Michael !

 

[Sk8r]

My scarlet hermit ate more of them than my emerald, which was about 10 bubbles, and they do pop them. My urchin was the best at removal: he wore them, but never ate them. Just keep phosphate down and solve your problem that way.

 

[TCKTME]

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/valonia.jpg

Jason

 

[JWolfgang]

Thanks for all the info people Thats exactly what they look like Jason.

I have to take a pic or two, their something else I'm worried about, I noticed it 2 days ago, and now its spreading like crazy.
I'll make a new post for it, when I get the pic's.

Jason you could come check it out

Wolf