Need advice

[mstwell]

I will soon be moving from a 55 gallon to a 90 which has to go in the same spot. That necessitates moving the 55 to a temporary location while I set up and ready the 90. Growing on the back glass of the 55 there are quite a few mushroom corals as well as several clumps of xenia. My plan is to remove fish, liverock and water; then move the 55 with sandbed intact as I don't want to stir all that up. Then put everything back in and later moving all to the 90. My questions are:
(1) How long can the mushroom and xenias stay high and dry without damage?
(2) Would be better to try to remove them from the back glass before moving the tank?
(3) If they should be removed, how to best accomplish that without damage?
Thanks to all for all the great things I learn here!

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Mushroom and xenia should be able to stay out of water long enough for you to drain and move the tank.

If you are going to remove them from the back glass in a few weeks, you can go ahead and remove them now and try to get them grow on live rock rubbles or on coarse crushed coral or shells. You can peel them off the glass with a sharp razor blade or simply cut them at the base/pedal.

 

[jasontammy]

I've had luck with Tomoko's method with an added twist - put them in a hanging breeder basket with crushed coral lining the bottom. Keeps them contained until you're ready for them.

It took me a time or two to learn that when they attach and I take them out of the basket, start them out in a lower flow area for a few days until you know that they're attached well. Otherwise, they go flying and pop up in exactly the last place you wanted them.

Tammy

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Some people use a small corral, such as a breeder net (like Tammy does), a short PVC pipe section, or even a shallow plastic cup with holes drilled on its side.

You can fill the container halfway with crushed corals. The idea is to keep coral fragments in a shallow container to prevent them from blowing around in the tank. The container should be shallow enough (or perforated) so that the water in it does not become stagnant.

Some corals attach themselves on crushed corals or shells within a week or so. Then you can superglue the crushed coral/shell to a live rock. If you try to glue a coral directly to a rock, the coral often slimes and comes off within a short period of time.

 

[hhughes5052]

Or you could use a rubberband to attach them to the rock. OR if you are feeling particularly wicked (like me sometimes) you can use a needle and thread. Just cut the thread and pull it out after the coral attaches.

 

[mstwell]

Thanks for all the great suggestions; will be attempting the move soon.