Spongy Algae

[sphelps]

Anyone have any experience with this kind of spongy algae??

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_1755.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_1756.jpg

I'm constantly removing it manually but it always returns. It seems to like to grow within the branches of SPS corals. It detaches fairly easily and grows in a spongy ball full of air.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[marie]

I used to have a green variety, very spongy. I kept manually removing it and haven't seen any in over a year.

I never did find out what it was :mrgreen:

[Aquattro]

I've had it on and off, manual removal worked for the most part. Sometimes it would take months to get another ball form.

[mark]

I have some very similiar that seems to like to grow within the stalks of Tubipora. Sort of a pale blue/green and if I leave long enough gets some filaments. Not slimy and feels like squeezing Jello.

No idea what it is but isn't spreading and like yours, ease to remove. Problem is I can't get it all, so grows back.

[Jeff_]

I've had some in my tank, and If i don't remove it fast enough when it decides to grow on sps it will actually kill some of the tissue. Quite annoying stuff, not quite sure what it is either.

[sphelps]

yeah I remove it manually weekly, I fill a 1L measuring cup at least half way every time. It grows very fast and I've been fighting it for about 4-5 months.

It kills the parts of the coral it attaches to so I'd really like to eliminate it once and for all. I would love to find something that eats it.

[christyf5]

Wow I just removed a chunk of that last night, the weirdest thing. It was in the back 40 of my tank and I didn't even realize it was there. Mine was black looking though and green underneath. Weird :confused:

[fencer]

Yes, this stuff you just have to pick off. In the end you will win. It seem to grow in cycles. Increasing Redox levels seem to help too.

[marie]

Wow I just removed a chunk of that last night, the weirdest thing. It was in the back 40 of my tank and I didn't even realize it was there. Mine was black looking though and green underneath. Weird :confused:

Mine was the same, I just assumed the black looking part was just a really, really dark green

[MikeP]

What about manually removing all that you can and then do a 2 or 3 day lights out period. That may help get rid of it for good.

Just a thought.

[sphelps]

What about manually removing all that you can and then do a 2 or 3 day lights out period. That may help get rid of it for good.

Just a thought.
I'd be willing to give that a shot. I'm going to cut back my lighting period and next time I do a cleaning I'll be extra thorough and give the tank a few days of darkness immediately after.