What is this thing??!!?

[Logzor]

I am new to soft coral and reef-keeping in general. On some recently purchased live rock I have found some unidentifiable life-forms appearing.

Please help me identify this coral, I am excited to find out what it will be. There are at least 10 small patches on this particular rock.

Testing image, have not yet attempted posting an image..I am referring to the red dish groups of polyps. Sorry for the massive image.

Thanks in advance!
Logan

 

[cloak]

I think it's some sort of red macroalgae.

 

[Logzor]

I wish I had a macro lens to show its details but it seems to me like it is forming small bubbles.

Could this be harmful to my tank or are these types of algae beneficial?

 

[mikekman]

yeah I agree, its some kind of reddish type of bubble algae. I've gotten them and they look neat and don't take over your entire tank.

the green bubble algae is the annoying one!!!

 

[crabbejoe]

To me it looks like a type of red macro. They're not bad for your tank. In fact they're very beautiful.

 

[Tyler.L]

red bubble algae, get a red emerald crab and it will demolish it..

 

[seapug]

it's not bubble algae. i'm with cloak and crabbejoe-- the red macro ID looks correct to me. That particular variety is cool. It's appeared in every tank I've set up but usually disappears within the first few weeks.

 

[Tyler.L]

its not a macro algae theres no stalk or anything its 100% red bubble. i've had it and still have some. it forms because it went from nitrite to nitrate to quick and that how it forms i believe.