Please help identify algae

[Tammy]

I really need help identify this algae. Does it look like bubble algae? If anyone can identify it could you also please tell me how to get rid of it?! Thanks in advance for any thoughts, ideas, and/or suggestions.

Tammy

Not sure if the two pictures are going to show up......hmmmm
If not I will try and try again!

Well here is a link to the pictures.........

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...2316&members=1

[zhenya]

Hi Tammy and Welcome to Reefland!



As far as I could tell looking at the pictures it does appear to be some type of bubble algae,perhaps Valonia.

If you could remove the pieces of rock that has it,you could simply scrab it clean in a bucket of tank water and then rinse it off and put it back in the tank.
Trying to remove it in the tank is quite difficult in that you need to be careful not to break the bubble and release spores into your system.
Generally,their presence indicate accumulation of organic nutrients in your system that this algae utilize for growth.Best way to control it is to try to reduce those nutrients by exporting it via water changes or refugiums or some other ways.
For biological control,some people had reported that crabs in the genus Mithrax or emerald crabs do eat this algae. I've never tried it myself so I can't say for sure but I did read some threads where people described this.

Good luck!

[Tammy]

Gene,
Thanks a million for taking the time to respond to my post. I truly appreciate it. I probably should have mentioned this is a tank I am planning on buying. I will not be using the tank but the majority of what comes with the tank. If I went out and bought eveything to upgrade my tank it would cost a few hundred more. So I am going to use this tank "for parts" per say. I will start a new post in a few minutes with the info and hopefully I can get your thoughts on that as well. Thanks again.

Tammy

[zhenya]

Tammy,

You are very welcome and please do post that info on that tank that you are considering. I'm leaving in a few minutes for the remainder of the day but I'm sure Ninong or other members will help you out with the decision
Good luck to you and looking forvard to reading how you make out with this tank