ID Please

[archer8681]

I recall seeing or reading a thread about something like what these are, they look like bubble algae but red. I only spotted this little cluster, just want to know if I should leave it or remove it.

Thanks

 

[archer8681]

Well I found the answer. Although red, they are a form of bubble algae. Botryocladia skottsbergii or 'Red Valonia'

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php

 

[reefD]

u say u spotted one cluster.let it be and hope it doesnt spread. one cluster isnt any need to panic. but consider staying on top of husbandry skills. keep tank clean and up to maintanace schedules. so the liklihiood of this spreading stays low.

 

[Dave ESPI]

I love bubble algae

I don't have any anymore. I used to have "Sea vase" which are very large sized valonia species that grow singlely. I miss them

 

[WinkeyWoneye]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8853319#post8853319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefD
u say u spotted one cluster.let it be and hope it doesnt spread. one cluster isnt any need to panic. but consider staying on top of husbandry skills. keep tank clean and up to maintanace schedules. so the liklihiood of this spreading stays low.

Some algae outbreaks have nothing to do with husbandry. These things can come into your tank on not fully cured rocks, hidden somewhere on a frag plug only to later spread, etc. While I agree with ReefD in keeping the tank clean will help prevent it from spreading.... I dont believe in just leaving it there. It will grow and spread if you leave it be. Refer to this thread as it talks about the same thing only with green bubble algae. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1003365
Do as you wish with it, but I know my bryopsis blooms spread like wildfire if left alone(diffrent type of algae, I know..just using as example). I keep them plucked down to little growths and they seem to be thinning out quite a bit now, slowly but surely. The bryopsis came in my old tank w/ a mushroom rock I had gotten that wasnt fully cured yet.
I know bubble algaes can spread when popped but refer to the 6th post down in that link, thats my standing on the matter.
If it was me, I would hold a siphon over the top of the algae as I was picking it away with my other hand. The siphon will pull out most of the liquid that escapes from the bubble and any remnants of the outer skin that may escape your fingers. If you just let it grow, it will pop on its own. Thats how this algae reproduces. Good luck with it.

EDIT: I was just thinking.... Bubble algae has a pretty thick outer skin to it. I wonder if its possible to use a syringe to suck out all the juice inside the bubble, than pick the leftover skin from the rock..... That would probably keep the escaping juice down to a absolute minimum. I would still hold the siphon over top as I was doing it though, just incase the bubble popped when poked with the needle. Just a idea though

 

[archer8681]

Well I removed it. Of course all of the bubbles were intact except one of them that popped. So I expect that somewhere down the road I'll see more. I'll just treat it like green bubble algae.

Thanks guys!