Weird

Howdy! I found this algae growing in my LR need some one to tell me what kind is it, and if it is good or bad? I have seen it in the ocean before but never in a reef tank:-/

 

Could be Codium or it could be Bubble Algae (doesn't always grow as a bubble so could be possibly "Boergesenia forbesii"). Can you get a better pic?

Try this link:

'Bubble' Alage: Selected Descriptions, Controls and Comments by Horge Cortes-Jorge, Jr. - Reefkeeping.com

 

The pic is kinda foggy, but does it have many rigid bright green bubbles growing sort of like grapes on a stem that looks like thick chaeto?

 

IF it's Bubble Algie, watch it closely as it can spread really really fast (mine did). The really smart LFS says to be careful about popping that stuff in quanities as it'll contaminate the tank.

 

Well is not really bubble, it's got like little stems more like gummy worms, I try getting a better pic! bujt will be this evening when the lights come on. I do have some bubble algae about the size of a tomato seed that I have been keeping my eye on, but this one is totally different!

 

It looks like the second pic on your link, but some what different, doesn't have liquid as so, but more like a solid structure to it!
thanks

 

you about hit it right in the nose, don't look like grapes but more like thick chaeto! thanks sparky.

 

OK. I don't know what this is! I had it for awhile on a piece of liverock while in my 55. If you let it grow, those little bubbles will increase in number, and start to grow like clusters of grapes. This stuff affixes itself to the LR through tiny root-like structures, much like vine to a building. It keeps a tenacious grip.

When I did my move from the 55 to the 90 I took a pair of tweezers and spent about an hour getting taking it off the LR. I apparently got it all, as it hasn't come back.

It wasn't a real problem, but it grew pretty fast and was covering my yellow polyp rock to the point where if more time went by, it would have competed for space and might have choked it out.

The closest match I could find was caulerpa racemosa. It looks like it with the bubbles, but it's not that. It's not bubble algae either, as bubble algae is soft as tissue paper and breaks readily, putting spores into the water. This is rigid and kinda crunchy.

I don't know what it is. It's a shame it grows so fast, I think it's a beautiful piece of macroalgae! I'd say spend some time now getting rid of it, or you'll lose the battle over time. It grows fast!

Good luck!

 

Maybe you could put the lr in the sump/refuge. That way you could watch and see how fast it grows. Do you have any tangs? Whenever I come home with a rock with any kind of plant on it the yellow tang cleans it off.

 

thanks for the advise, I be performing my weekly water change here soon, and try to get as much of it out as I can! and btw! that is one beautiful yellow polyp you have, can't say that I blame you by getting rid of it asap...lol