What is this?

[Dusty650]

At firdt I thought bubble algea... I bumped it when I wascfeeding and it detached.... its hard... kinda odd. I thought about putting it in my refuge but didnt know lol

 

[Tahoe61]

You're right that is indeed what it is.

 

[gonpostal]

Bubble algae, DON'T put it in your sump. I've been trying to get rid of it for quite a while.

 

[Dusty650]

Its weird. Its hard as a rock.

 

[Squishie89]

It just became partially calcified. I have encountered both hard and soft BA.

 

[SLUF681]

Emerald crabs got rid of mine. Hit or miss as I understand.

 

[rajkovich207]

Emerald crabs are a bit of a double sword, yes the eat ba but they pop them to eat the shell, thus releasing all the inside liquids that grow into more bubble algae. IMO it's not a hit or miss but the right balance between crabs and bubble algae. They just need to get to it before you see it.

 

[Ole Man]

He is right Dusty,what ever you do don't pop it under water in your tank or refugium the spores it gives off will infest your tank!Its best if you can remove the piece of rock it's on then scrape it off,rinse it off with some fresh salt water,so you don't kill any good bactiera,then putter back,done deal!

 

[nitro'sreef]

++1

 

[NanaReefer]

Emerald crabs are a bit of a double sword, yes the eat ba but they pop them to eat the shell, thus releasing all the inside liquids that grow into more bubble algae. IMO it's not a hit or miss but the right balance between crabs and bubble algae. They just need to get to it before you see it.

Emerald Crabs do not pop and then eat the shell. The actually siphon out the algae spores from the inside.

 

[SLUF681]

I had maybe 4 or 5 "clusters" of bubbles. I added 2 emerald crabs and within a week, the bubble algae was gone. I wouldn't hesitate to add them to my tank again (Ihave about 6 altogether now in my 120).

 

[k2parkstar]

Agreed I had good luck with emerald crabs and would use them again

 

[Engloid]

Emerald Crabs do not pop and then eat the shell. The actually siphon out the algae spores from the inside.

Pretty cool. I had to look up video. Here's one eating it... can't really see his mouth, but he's clearly picking each one and taking it to his mouth.

Emerald Crab eating Bubble Algae - YouTube

 

[TriMax]

I wish I did not know that it was bubble algae. I vote "yes' on Emerald crabs also.

 

[Dusty650]

Yeah I was rather convinced it was bubble alga as well... Until I hit it and it broke loose and started floating around lol. I caught it and it was hard, of thing is that there was that little spot of it and one more little bit I got rid of both spots and don't see anymore let's hope I don't need the crabs lol. Thanks for all the input guys I appreciate it!