not sure if this is bubble algae....maybe

[kozmic]

If you pull the rock out, scrub it with a tooth brush and hydrogen peroxide.

Then burn the rock and throw it out.

This! LOL!

 

[reef tank 2.0]

My tank ran for about 20 years without a hint of bubble algae until one dang mushroom frag I added that must have had spores (did not have any visible bubble algae) buried in the piece of rock it came on... within about two months of adding, I started seeing little green balls everywhere...

Admittedly, it was a FOWLR tank for ten of those years, but still... bubble algae sux!

Btw... you might have some type of Caulerpa macro (rather than bubble algae), since you say it had a small stem. Bubble algae will grow in a cluster of bubbles, Caulerpa will grow in a string or line/row of bubbles, somewhat looking like grapes.

yes, it definitely had a stem......I'll keep an eye on anymore I find. The color of them are very similar to chaeto algae. But the chaeto I do have, does not have balls. Which led me to thing the worst. I've only found 2-3 of them in the sand. No where else. I will continue to hunt for them