Removing coral from rock?

[Docstach]

So I have this chalice growing on a big flat rock. Unfortunately, it is kind of ugly and is getting so big that is killing the neighboring SPS. Any good ways to remove the chalice? I don't really care if I kill it as I have several other frags of it so I was thinking about just trying to chip it of with a knife or something...

A second question is I have a little colony of zoas that are being overgrow by a meteor shower. I would like to try and save the zoas, do you think the best way would be to use a razor blade and try to scrape them off of the rock and move them elsewhere?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I'm having the same problem with a montipora. It's spreading like lava, but at least it holds the rocks together. I haven't done it yet, but my plan is to use kalkwasser paste to kill the edges that are getting to close to my sps since I don't want to disturb the rockwork. If it works, I'll let you know.

 

[Technorch]

Be very careful removing zoas as they release toxins that could poison you or the tank.

Kalk paste is a good way to control it a bit.

 

[wpeterson]

I have this problem both with montipora and with large chalices in our tank. If the coral hasn't overgrown the attachment point, you can usually use a screwdriver to pry the coral off the rock (popping the epoxy/superglue bond or whatever you used to mount it.

For pieces that are overgrown onto the rockwork, I usually use a fragging kit to cut them back or break them up. For example, I had a foot long stunner chalice I fragged into 4-6" pieces using the bonecutters in my frag kit.

If you have a delicate montipora you want to remove without fragging/damaging it, you should get a chisel and chisel off the rock outside where the coral is attached. Many live rock types used in our tanks are quite porous and easier to cut/break than you'd expect.

I've been able to get by through aggressive trimming of our fast growing montipora colonies. They love to grow sideways right at mid-sized Acropora and Millepora colonies and cause trouble.

 

[Docstach]

Thanks. An old steak knife worked perfect to remove the chalice. Came off in 2 big pieces and a bunch of little pieces. I used a razor blade to scrape off a few polyps of zoas (rasta). I am going to see how they do after I glued them onto a little shell before I try to get the rest off. I really want to try and save them so if these don't make it, I will go with a different approach next time.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I'm worried that if I try to chisel it off, my rockwork will collapse. I can't take it out of the tank so it would have to be done in a very limited space. I also like that it holds my aquascape together so I want to keep the skeleton.