How to destroy zoas?

[zachtos]

I am becoming over run by 'pink pally' zoanthids. They are overgrowing other more attractive zoanthids. Is there an easy method to target kill these zoas?

You can see them in the top left of the photo. The rocks they are attached to are NOT removable from the display, so I need a method that will only burn/kill them alone so I can save the neighboring zoas!!!

please HELP!!!

 

[superfirefly]

Killing them in your display may be a bad idea. I used a syringe and injected mine with Kalk. I am pretty sure the rotting remains are what caused the Cyano outbreak I have been fighting ever since.

 

[lvreefer]

Use a sharp blade and scrape away. Best method would be to wear protective gear (hands, arms, eyes) and with one hand scrape and the other siphon.

 

[ahullsb]

Scrape and siphon is a great way in my opinion too. Running some carbon might be a worthwhile preventative measure as well.

 

[lvreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12441459#post12441459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ahullsb
Running some carbon might be a worthwhile preventative measure as well.

Oops, yes run carbon and wet skim. Water change as well. This might be over kill but why risk it.

 

[hk855]

I just had a similar problem and used a not so sharp dissecting scalpel and it actualy worked pretty well to chip away at the rock bellow. Calcium carbonate is a pretty soft material so with a little force and a stiff blade you can chip away at it fairly effectively. I wouldnt use a replaceable blade surgical scalpel though because they are a lot flimsier, maybe try a cheap 1/2" wide short shank chisel, just be careful of your hands and tank walls.

 

[Grevious]

Add an Angelfish to the tank. Zoa's are like candy to them......

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12442379#post12442379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Grevious
Add an Angelfish to the tank. Zoa's are like candy to them......

Not true...and worthless info. thanks for nothing. many people keep angels in their tanks with no problems, i am one. and he wants to kill specific zoas not all of them.

 

[Grevious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12442417#post12442417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
Not true...and worthless info. thanks for nothing. many people keep angels in their tanks with no problems, i am one. and he wants to kill specific zoas not all of them.

In my experience with all of my large angels(Emporor,Passer,Annularis,Chrysurus,French) zoa's never lasted an evening. That is my experience. Sorry, forgot he was just trying to eliminate certain zoa's only.

Thanks for you positive insight however.

 

[downhillbiker]

sorry for being short. i didnt intend to sound that way. i just get frustrated when people see the title and post without reading. i am not saying you did that, but many people do it all the time.

i have a dwarf angle and it does great, flame angel. i have no experience with full size.

 

[Grevious]

Not a problem. But your right, I didn't pay attention to him wanting to only eliminate one specific type of Zoa before I typed the response.

 

[kes_reef]

You can also use a tweezer and remove several 'patches' at a time from its surface, as they are sometimes attached together. Make sure to wear gloves and use other protective measures as zoas contain toxic substances.

 

[mr&mrsfish]

I had a similar problem with zoas. I used the concentrated "kalk" paste method to eliminate them. I mixed ~2 tbs of kalk with 0.5 to 1 tbs of water and heated the mix until boiling in a microwave. The mixture was immediately transferred to a syringe. The mixture was then coated onto a mat of zoas. By the next morning, the zoas were completely "dissolved" and the rock was clean (except for some residual CaCO3 that could be removed). The circulation in the tank must be reduced to prevent the paste from being blown everywhere. In addition, the pH should be closely monitored. I was able to remove 10 in2 areas at a time.

 

[suasponte2/75]

I've used hard bristle toothbrushes on mine and it's been effective on my fugly brown zoas. I also do it in small patches and I never siphon. It doesn't seem to affect anything IMO. Although, I do run carbon 24/7. Why is it always the ugliest ones that proliferate in our tanks? My tubs blues are taking like forever and a day to multiply! So are my pinks....

HTHs,

Minh

 

[zachtos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12444151#post12444151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr&mrsfish
I had a similar problem with zoas. I used the concentrated "kalk" paste method to eliminate them. I mixed ~2 tbs of kalk with 0.5 to 1 tbs of water and heated the mix until boiling in a microwave. The mixture was immediately transferred to a syringe. The mixture was then coated onto a mat of zoas. By the next morning, the zoas were completely "dissolved" and the rock was clean (except for some residual CaCO3 that could be removed). The circulation in the tank must be reduced to prevent the paste from being blown everywhere. In addition, the pH should be closely monitored. I was able to remove 10 in2 areas at a time.

I think I'll try this method first. I have 500G water volume, so the ph should be safe as it takes 3 tbs to move my ph up by 0.15.

 

[Jimbo327]

If you don't care about the rock that much, you can use a bone cutter and cut the rock really thin and try to get the zoa off with a little bit of rock.