How do I get rid of this without hurting zoa?

Success! I had to play with it and move it every which way, but at the end it let go from the rock. The problem was then the part where the zoo had grown and attached onto the bubble, so I had to cut the zoo around that area with a razor. Now there's a big round hole in the middle of the frag, but I hope the zoo will spread on that area and cover it. As far as I know, it was the only one. I've looked around and nothing, so definitely it came on the frag where it was found.

Thanks everyone for the help! I'm glad I was able to remove it somewhat easily!!

- Mag.

 

Congrats! Hopefully thats the only one. Just keep an eye out for another one popping out.

 

There's a number of species of bubble algae. Most of what people identify as Valonia spp isn't that at all. However, most of the species are similar. It's only the large ones that are an issue with popping because their gametes are sexually mature. One can pop the small ones with ease. In the case of this medium size one, I would just have taken a coffee cup worth of tank water, held the frag over the sink, popped it with a pin (upside down), dipped the frag in the water in the coffee cup several times, and then put the frag back into the tank.

 

I thought about your suggestion at first too, but I didn't want to risk any spores staying attached. So, I did every step you described except for popping it. Once I had it in the cup I tried to remove it by moving it side to side until it got detached, if it were to pop, though, I would have rinsed it the best I could with some RO water... just in case

Thanks for the advice inwall.

- Mag