ID Help, Coral or Algae??

[bgbeards]

I have some growth on my live rock that I think is algae, but I'm not sure. Could be some type of brown mushroom perhaps. They are a little hairy on top too. The smallest is the size of a dime up to a silver dollar. They arn't taking over, but if it is algae I think I need to get rid of them before it gets bad. But it sure beats hair algae. Here are a few different pics.

[Kakalakasha]

I'm not 100% positive, but someone else on here posted a thread about an algae that looks very similar to that.
The replies to his thread proved his algae was a bad algae and he got rid of it before it got too bad.
I'm pretty sure it's algae and not a coral and your tank can live with out the algae even if it is really good.
I wouldn't take any chances.
Trash it!

[Jadinop]

Lobophora. It's an interesting looking algae but not easy to get rid of. It does get out of hand and there are few options besides manual removal. The only thing that I know of that eats it is a Naso Tang.

[bgbeards]

I hasn't been growing to fast yet. Is there anything that will eat it besides tang's. I don't really want another fish. Any small urchin's perhaps. ??

[Jadinop]

I have dealt with this algae repeatedly in my tanks and only the Naso tangs will eat it aggresively. Reportedly, long spine urchins may work but in my case they didn't. I have also tried a few different rabbitfish, other types of tangs, crabs, snails and sea hares. Nothing will touch the stuff.

Another with the same experience as me.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brnalgfaq2.htm

[Jadinop]

Here is a small pic of what's to come.




You need to start manually removing whatever you can.

[bgbeards]

What do you use to remove it. I can't even get ahold of it. I don't know to get to it. I can't even rip it off. Also how long between what I got to your picture. They have looked the same for about 2 months.

[collin]

i had the stuff once and i took the rock out taht it was on

[bgbeards]

I don't want to take the rock out because it is by far my best piece. Has alot of life and cool funnel shape. I may have to though. :{

[SCHEITHE]

it looks like i have the same problom then. i have a very small piece of it.

[Jadinop]

Tweezers work for getting under the corners and tearing it up. I don't want to be the voice of doom but there is no cure for this algae. Low nutrients, no lights for weeks nor raising magnesium will work. It will slowly overgrow every surface of rock and then build up layers upon itself.

[Frank-n-Tank]

it greatly ressembles a lichen or fungi that grows on old trees and what not

[bgbeards]

If I pull this piece of live rock out, how can I clean the piece so it is usable again. I may be willing to sacrifice all the growth if I can save the piece.