[Pomme]

Whats this green/metalic ball?



I have seen them getting more and more in number. I have around 15-20 of these now in my tank. I think its an algae but i dont know whether its like diatoms that emerge and take over the place and then dye away, or whether it will just continue to grow slowly? If i do need to get rid of it whats the best way?

Andrew

[zhenya]

Andrew,

The bright green balls in question appear to be a Valonia type algae.If you going to try to remove it,be careful not to break them up as they will release spores into the water column and you'll have more then you bargain for.

[Pomme]

ill try and siphon themup as then if i do break themall the spores will be siphoned up to?

[bakirkoylu]

You need emerald crab (Feeds detritus, hairy algae, and bubble algae).

[Poseidon]

Yup thats the DREADED VALONIA!!! Bubble Algae... You won't be able to siphon them up easy, they attach themselves pretty good sometimes. BTW I had Mythrax crabs B4 and they didn't touch the stuff. THey are a risk to your fish though.

[Pomme]

ohhh just put on in?

i am def crossing my fingers now.

[Minh Nguyen]

The ones you show here are the larger Valoria type algae. They won't be a problem unless you ghot lots of nutrient in your water. I disagree with zhenya here regarding breaking up of these algae. I routinely poke it witha stick to punture it. My tang then eat it on the rock. It is likely that they only have spores sometime, not all the time. May be one of these day, I will poke one full of spores and I will be sorry. Sofar, i have no problem getting rid of them by poking at them. (I think that if i get a fish the will eat these algae, they will have to rupture it first before eatting it, so i do the hard work for them by pooking at it)
Minh