ID of issue and suggested action

[champion6sigma]

I tried to take pictures of two issues. There is a bubble like thing on two different rocks. Second issue is some sort of ball looking thing next to finger leather coral. Was difficult to focus but hopefully it's detailed and visible enough for ID.

 

[GimpyFin]

The first one looks like bubble algae. The second looks maybe like a pineapple sponge, but I'm not sure. Nothing harmful if it is. I don't know of a surefire way to fix the bubble algae, although some people try emerald crabs and urchins.

 

[champion6sigma]

Thanks! Just Googled pic's. Could be it. Some people call pineapples qtips. It has never moved and is only one jn tank. I'll look at it closer tomorrow. Wonder if I can remove it somehow. Will need to do more research on bubble algae and sponges. And emerald crabs. I'm pretty sure I don't want an urchin .

 

[GimpyFin]

Yeah bubble algae can be kind of a stinker. If you just have a couple clusters, you might be able to carefully remove the bubbles from the rocks without popping them. They release spores when popped making it easier for it to spread.

 

[killagoby]

Emerald Crab for that bubble algae. They should eat it

 

[cloak]

Just manually remove the bubble algae right before your next water change. Don't worry about popping them. From now on though your going to have to keep your eyes peeled for more. Staying ahead of these things will be key. GL.

 

[rickzter]

Got some good coralline growth.

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[lpsouth1978]

I agree that it is bubble algae and a sponge of some sort. The sponge is harmless and the bubble algae is just annoying. I had a good deal of it growing in my tank, but my Naso tang DESTROYED it. He either REALLY hated it, or LOVED it! Unfortunately a Naso is WAY too big for your tank. Emerald crab is your best bet beyond manual removal.

 

[champion6sigma]

I think I like the idea of an emerald crab . Perhaps even a temporary purchase and return to lfs. Or possible only return if it starts to go after nails or coraline or other good things. Which is possibility I read. My other thought is what about moving rocks to other body of water and then removal of bubble algae? Or when it removed it might just pop and stay on rock and make it back to tank either way. I'm assuming the emerald crab eats them in way that he doesn't pop bubbles....?

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[champion6sigma]

I'll call lfs and see who has one in Stock. It shouldn't mess with my sand start? I didn't read anything on stars...I do have some crabs and snails remaining. Or maybe I can use 5 gallons of tank water and move both rocks to it. ( or 10) and then acclimate crab into that and he will have less choices of rock to scavenge and no snails to be bothered with. Then I can put everything in main tank once it's visibly clear of bubble algae. And I can either attempt to keep or return to lfs

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[champion6sigma]

And it would be a water change at same time. I would not put old water back in . I'd have to start making water tomorrow

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[homer1475]

Yeah I've got some bubble algae too. I just keep an eye on it, and pluck it out when I do water changes. It seems to stay in one spot, and no matter how well I think I got it, a few days later a couple clusters show up.

You can kind of knock them off without popping them(the small clusters I can actually suck off the rocks with a siphon from doing WC's), they don't stick to anything real well. I get a few on my sun corals sometimes, I pull them out and knock them off in another bucket. I know if you don't stay on top of them they can get to plague proportions.

BTW, I'm totally jealous of your PRIV!

 

[champion6sigma]

Thanks. I love this phone. I'm a loyal BlackBerry user. Camera on the phone is amazing. Still can't compete with dslr when capturing tank pics, no cellphone can, but overall the camera is wonderful upgrade from my BlackBerry Classic. And I get to apps taptalk ecosmart etc...easier .

I'm hoping one day the bubble algae is completely gone...it just recently grew a little this last few weeks, and I know some action needs to take place. The emerald crabs hopefully will work.

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[champion6sigma]

Added 3 emerald crabs. Added a air machine and 2 stones to sump. Crabs are small, I wish i had chosen one or two large ones... oh well.

Hoping my issues get fixed soon.