Weird, hard, web growth in tank wall

[simonsays]

Also have this new algae that has been growing in my LR. Should I remove it?

Are these some kind of snail eggs? They are hard and very difficult to scrub off the glass. They are white and seem to reappear about as fast as I scrub them off

 

[amber3cat]

First one bubble algae I think, I had it and got a couple of emerald crabs and they got rid of it. Second one might be hydroids but that's just a guess.

 

[simonsays]

I don't think it's bubble algae, but I could be wrong. They actually look like tiny green mushrooms

 

[Jennie]

Could it be some type of macro algae?

 

[KJ]

1 pic Caulerpa racemosa.
2pic Bryozoan?

 

[Hogan]

First looks like bubble calerpa. Second, I don't know. Almost looks like some kind of eggs.

 

[simonsays]

I think they look like eggs as well. But they are even growing inside the intake into my filter. They are hard and barely raised.

 

[ReefWeeds]

First photo is caulerpa racemosa or grape caulerpa. It can be invasive, so if you don't want it in your tank, pull it. But make sure to pull the runners otherwise they will regrow.

The stuff on the glass looks like some sort of coralline possibly - especially since you indicate they are hard. Not sure of anything that lays eggs in that pattern.

 

[simonsays]

First photo is caulerpa racemosa or grape caulerpa. It can be invasive, so if you don't want it in your tank, pull it. But make sure to pull the runners otherwise they will regrow.

The stuff on the glass looks like some sort of coralline possibly - especially since you indicate they are hard. Not sure of anything that lays eggs in that pattern.

I really hope it's coralline algae!!!!!

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=489

Caulerpa Racemosa

IMHO, if you like to have some macro algae in your tank (I do) this is a good species to have. Another option to pulling the entire thing is to trim it to keep it in check.

Depending on exactly what species of grape it is (ie: caulerpa lentillifera), some are actually edible (raw) and are a delicacy in Okinawa. Although from you pic it looks like racemosa but I could be wrong.

DO NOT TRY TO EAT ANY. It's not toxic but if you eat racemosa raw you'll get a headache. (trust me)

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

https://goo.gl/photos/bsD6rZBd14i7gdH86

 

[simonsays]

http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=489

Caulerpa Racemosa

IMHO, if you like to have some macro algae in your tank (I do) this is a good species to have. Another option to pulling the entire thing is to trim it to keep it in check.

Depending on exactly what species of grape it is (ie: caulerpa lentillifera), some are actually edible (raw) and are a delicacy in Okinawa. Although from you pic it looks like racemosa but I could be wrong.

DO NOT TRY TO EAT ANY. It's not toxic but if you eat racemosa raw you'll get a headache. (trust me)

Haha!! Never thought about eating it. But I do like a bit of algae in the tank also. I like the way it looks. Went and bought an emerald crab, hopefully he will keep it in check without eating it all. Thanks for he info!!

 

[gurumasta]

Keep an eye on the caulerpa because it can go sexual and just turn white and die overnight. It can pollute the tank when this happens. I am not sure of the cause but this just happened to me in my fuge with a big amount of it. Luckily my water volume is big enough that it didn't have any impact.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/nftt/index.php

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Keep an eye on the caulerpa because it can go sexual and just turn white and die overnight. It can pollute the tank when this happens. I am not sure of the cause but this just happened to me in my fuge with a big amount of it. Luckily my water volume is big enough that it didn't have any impact.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/nftt/index.php

He's exactly right, so the lesson there is don't have too much caulerpa in your tank, that if it went unnoticed and 'went sexual', it could adversely affect your water condition.
In the article it says that: "Earlier pruning of the alga may delay or prevent gametangia formation. However, from my experience with the process, it is apparent that it cannot be stopped simply by removing part of the algae, once the gametangia have begun forming."
Myself, I prune the parts that start to get white. Maybe I've just been lucky so far? You may want to have different small sections on different areas and not one large patch all growing together.

Offhand, I just remembered that Racemosa is round with the tops flattened while Lentillifera is spherical. I wasn't able to see clearly in your pics but if the tops are flat then you've got Racemosa. I'm actually trying to get some Lentillifera growing in my system as it's native here.

 

[simonsays]

He's exactly right, so the lesson there is don't have too much caulerpa in your tank, that if it went unnoticed and 'went sexual', it could adversely affect your water condition.
In the article it says that: "Earlier pruning of the alga may delay or prevent gametangia formation. However, from my experience with the process, it is apparent that it cannot be stopped simply by removing part of the algae, once the gametangia have begun forming."
Myself, I prune the parts that start to get white. Maybe I've just been lucky so far? You may want to have different small sections on different areas and not one large patch all growing together.

Offhand, I just remembered that Racemosa is round with the tops flattened while Lentillifera is spherical. I wasn't able to see clearly in your pics but if the tops are flat then you've got Racemosa. I'm actually trying to get some Lentillifera growing in my system as it's native here.

It has the flat tops. Like little mushrooms kinda. I have a nano tank.

 

[simonsays]

I believe it's the racemosa. They aren't completely spherical but round with flat tops. I have a nano tank full of sps, don't want them going sexual on me. It's growing on the LR so it will be difficult to completely remove. Hopefully pruning will have the desired effect.

Does the water cloud up when they do their thing? Or the only evidence is them turning white? My tank is 12 gallons if I know what to look for I can do a 100% water change in an emergency.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

I believe it's the racemosa. They aren't completely spherical but round with flat tops.

Considering that, I'd agree.

I have a nano tank full of sps, don't want them going sexual on me. It's growing on the LR so it will be difficult to completely remove. Hopefully pruning will have the desired effect.

You should be fine for a good month at least, before anything changes with the Racemosa. Keep an eye on it.
I found this for you:
I think his setup and yours are very different and he let his algae completely grow out (which is not your case) but the info he gives might provide you with some insight anyway.

Does the water cloud up when they do their thing?

Yes, if you just let it go and don't take any preventative action.

Or the only evidence is them turning white?

Yeah. They turn white before they disintegrate.

My tank is 12 gallons if I know what to look for I can do a 100% water change in an emergency.

That's good and if possible have the water on hand. Personally, I wouldn't change 100% of the water in a single go. I think the better solution is observation.

On my side, I could pull all the algae out relatively easily if I absolutely wanted it out. I mean, I wouldn't have to tear anything down if I wanted to yank it off the rocks, so you should be able to take it out relatively easily also. Get some stainless cuticle trimmers [https://www.amazon.com/Cuticle-Nippers-Stainless-Cutter-Clipper/dp/B006WHOAHO] and cut the runners. You should be able to pull it out by section. After cutting, just pull off the runner ends you've cut, to keep it trimmed.
And, you'll see it start to change color, getting lighter. It's not going to suddenly die in an hour. Mine takes days fading, going white. Then you can pull it.
I'm not exactly sure what your setup is but I'm assuming with a 12G you don't have a sump. So I'd suggest keeping it in small sections or 2" x 2" max. Don't have more than four of these in your entire tank and two sections I think is fine. That's plenty for your size tank.
If you want to experiment with macro algae, a sump would be safer IMHO.