Red Balls in Chaeto

[hoho19]

I have just recently set up my tank and am trying to ID things in there and just get a general feel for IDing things in general. I've done a pretty good job so far with the help of Google and the search function here, but these things have me coming up short.

THese little red balls are all over my Chaeto. Is that part of the Chaeto because I can't find a definitive answer anywhere.

http://puddleglum.hohimer.us/reef/redballs.jpg

[Ram_Puppy]

my bet is that cheato is contaminated w/ velonia.

[hoho19]

Interesting. Ok So doing some research and it is suggested that I use emerald crabs to biologically control this. Are there any other species that are good control methods?

[Ram_Puppy]

emerald crabs I think are hit or miss. Probably manually remove as much as you can or get a new culture of cheato, and go from there. people usually add cheato to their refugiums so i assume that is where yours is, and I would never add a crab like that to a fuge.

[hoho19]

Yeah it's in the fuge. I also noticed that that is the topic of the meeting this month. I don't think between now and then that it will get outta control...So I may wait until then. :)

[Ram_Puppy]

good idea! :)

[taldrich13]

Jerry Lee Lewis-1957

Do I win?

[gjuarez]

definately valonia, dont pop the bubbles. I also suggest getting a new batch of chaeto.

[jap1]

If you want to replace your chaeto, mine has been growing like crazy so I'd be glad to give you some for free. Just PM me if you want some. I can spare about 2 or 3 hands full.

[Thunderkat]

Out of all the pests I have had in my tank valonia is the one I really don't mind. In my tank it doesn't grow very fast and they are very easily removed. I actually find it kind of cool looking, I had one get almost as big as a golf ball before I had to take it out (started getting clear-that is when they get ready to burst and reproduce).