Hydroids

[stillhoff]

Is there a way to get rid of them without removing the rock?

Or what is the best way? Acid, paste, steam, cutting, epoxy, laser....

 

[njreefguy]

I assume your taking about colonial hydroids right? I had a rock with some on them and tried pretty much everything. Kalk paste held them back the longest but still a few got through. In the end I pulled the rock and gave it an bleach then vinegar bath. I only did this because I really liked the shape of the rock. Had I not liked it would have ended up in the woods behind my house.

 

[A1t2o]

Cutting that part of the rock off would work, or an acid bath/sun bleaching. Killing the entire rock, or just that section of the rock if you have something to save, would be best.

 

[cloak]

I would go the epoxy route first. It would be like putting chewed up bubble gum over them. Once this hardens Coralline algae will most likely grow over it and eventually you'll never even know they were there. GL.

 

[skp]

I sit the kind in the small brown flexible tubes? I fought those for years. The epoxy didn't work for me as they just spread sideways inside the rock until they were past the epoxy. I ended up taking the rocks out and drying them for 6 months.

 

[cloak]

Yeah, you almost have to encapsulate them to really be effective. Once this hardens though there's no getting out IME. I've done this to Hydroids, Zoathids, Clove polyps etc with great results. That epoxy can also be used to keep certain encrusting corals like Montiporas, Leptastreas etc at bay too. It's definitely nice tool to have on hand. GL.