What the heck is this stuff??

[Bubba]

I've reciently seen the appearance of some strange stuff in my tank.
I don't have a picture of it yet but if it will help I can take one tomorrow.
Here is a general description:

Short red and light brown matted like growth on the liverock.
VERY tough to remove, basically have to take a razor to it.
- Nothing like hair algae or any type of algae I've
ever seen. In a few spots I've seen some development of
short (less than an inch) tubular growths, they are hard and
appear to be calcium based. Might even be something living
in the tube. Appears to be related to the matted growth but
I'm not 100% sure. :?

It is starting to grow onto some of my hard corals so I'm
beginning to get conserned.

Anyone have any guesses?????

Thanks!

 

[Chucker]

Hydroids sometimes form thick mats like this, and are listed in the FAQ.

 

[wade1]

foraminiferans perhaps?

A pick would be decidedly useful.