Monster bubble algae

[Tompickles]

Just thought I’d share this. It’s gotten so big I’m afraid to try to get it out and pop it. It’s even got its own coralline algae lol. How would you go about trying to get it off the rock? Yes I know I have an Aiptasia problem too I’m working on it.

 

[sfin52]

Wow it's a gazing ball

 

[Pistondog]

Just thought I’d share this. It’s gotten so big I’m afraid to try to get it out and pop it. It’s even got its own coralline algae lol. How would you go about trying to get it off the rock? Yes I know I have an Aiptasia problem too I’m working on it.

Grab and wiggle it, it'll release.
Don't worry about breaking it, that is an old reefers tale.

 

[Greg P]

Get some replacement water ready.
Turn off all flow and wait a few minutes for the water to settle.
Use a hose for siphoning - I use a ridgid tube with some hose on the bucket end.
With one hand holding the running siphon hose, pry the bubble free with a tool if it doesn't come off by hand. If it breaks during this process, you'll be able to catch it all. If it doesn't burst just pull it out in one go.
Toss the bucket water and return your tank to normal operation.

 

[Greg P]

Don't worry about breaking it, that is an old reefers tale.

Do you have some reading supporting this? I've always read you release spores by bursting the bubble.

 

[Pistondog]

Do you have some reading supporting this? I've always read you release spores by bursting the bubble.

There was a vote on r2r about this, certainly not definitive, but split 50.50 as to belief, which is not fact.

Bubble algae is a large single called organism that reproduces by cell division. No spores.

Valonia ventricosa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Doesn't make it any easier to get rid of.

 

[Greg P]

Thanks Piston
So it'll release daughter cells, not spores. My bad using the wrong term.

I still say don't pop one during removal

 

[Pistondog]

Thanks Piston
So it'll release daughter cells, not spores. My bad using the wrong term.

I still say don't pop one during removal

You're welcome.
The daughter cells are not released by the rupturing of the bubble. They don't exist inside each other, rather the cell divides and perhaps, when conditions are right, one of the cells floats away to colonize another place.
Perhaps popping disloges the adjacent cell, so maybe this is how the myth started.

 

[Tompickles]

You're welcome.
The daughter cells are not released by the rupturing of the bubble. They don't exist inside each other, rather the cell divides and perhaps, when conditions are right, one of the cells floats away to colonize another place.
Perhaps popping disloges the adjacent cell, so maybe this is how the myth started.

Good to know. Makes me feel better about using force to get it out cause that things stuck on the rock good.