Fraging Zoas
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Softies
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions soft corals.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73956
Printed Date: November 21 2024 at 12:27pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fraging Zoas
Posted By: robbrouse
Subject: Fraging Zoas
Date Posted: December 07 2014 at 2:32pm
|
Hay all, like most people that have zoas they over rub your tank pretty quick. What the best way to remove them from live rock? If i could save then to sell/trade/giveaway cool if not just get them moved. I've read a kalc past will kill them.. Robb. Sorry if any words are misspelled or grammar been limited to one arm. See my post in the introduce your self for more info.
|
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 07 2014 at 9:13pm
One way, if you want to save and sell or trade the polyps is to take the rock out of the tank and rip/scrape/chisel them off the rock. Be prepared that the rock might break into pieces either intentionally or unintentionally. A screwdriver or cold chisel is a handy tool.  (Caution: Zoanthid and Palythoa polyp fluids can be noxious so wear glasses, wipe off the fluid that might squirt on the face, wipe hands often, rinse hands in the tank/sink and don't spend too much time at this in one sitting.)Another option is to take the rock to MarksReef and exchange it for other rock and coral. I've seen tons of LR over the years. I know how a particular piece might seem irreplaceable, but believe me, there are always other beautiful pieces of LR that we come to appreciate as much or more than the one we are dealing with right now. As for other options, for me, killing good coral is just not acceptable, especially when there are so many local hobbyists wanting it. There is really no substitute for forward planning. If you don't want a coral to take over LR don't put it there to begin with. This is especially true for Green Star Polyps, Briarium, Xenia and Blue/purple Snowflake polyps, to name a few. On the other hand, if you want several zoanthid/palythoa colors on a single rock, place them in a pattern where they butt up against each other and can only grow outward in a somewhat pre-planned direction. Hope this helps. Aloha
 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: robbrouse
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 8:10am
|
I would agree Mark. but one hand fragging would be hard and its a main Rock in my system. I agree better planning would of been best, but not much I can do at this point. I might take you up on the trade when I figure out how the rocks are placed in there. Sorry took so long to respond. Been a pretty bad few days. Robb
|
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 12 2014 at 8:22am
|
Please show us a close up pic and a pic of the entire tank and I'll see if I can recommend how to remove these button polyps one handed. BTW, one handed work is pretty much all I do when it's in the tank. Aloha ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Pete Moss
Date Posted: December 15 2014 at 1:30pm
|
Using a smaller exacto knife, you can almost always extract the mat zoanthids grow on, without removing any of the rock underneath. The mat can then be cut up and placed back down on smaller rocks or frag plugs for selling. Scrape around the edges until you start pulling up an edge of the mat, then slowly work it away from the rock. Sometimes you can simply pull it off of the rock, other times you will have to use the knife to work it away from the rock. Taking the rock out of the tank first will make it much easier :) I've picked entire colonies of zoanthids right off of the rocks, and been left with a perfectly intact rock time and time again using this method. More than happy to help if you're ever in the area or I'm down that way. ------------- 125g 90g 2x33g 34g What stores do I recommend? Up North: Bill ( Saltwater Paradise 801-317-8115 ) Down South: Jerry ( Reef On 801-563-0600 ) Member of GCFB |