Removing mature SPS from LR.

[b_s_c1]

I am slowly removing LR from my tank to get ready for my new one. I will be cooking all the original LR to get rid of PO4 and aptasia. And then add a CBB in the new tank to take care of any aptasia that may come up from spores transfered by the coral. So my question is what is the best way to remove mature SPS from LR without causing to much damage.

 

[CleveYank]

I pop corals off with a screw driver. Since most of my corals are mounted on frag plugs that are fitted in holes drilled in the liverock. Even the large ones you can get to the base and pop the whole coral right off. I use the medium sized crafstman flat blade. A fresh one is almost sharp and can get under the coral and get through the encrusting rather easily. Plates, it's hit or miss since some tend to be very fragile.

 

[dvmsn]

plus 1

 

[Logzor]

I use a similar method, just with a chisel a bit larger than a screw driver, the wider tip allows me to apply even pressure over a wider area.

If you hit just under the base of the coral you can easily pop the entire thing off without loosing much tissue. You'll be surprised how easy it is.

 

[iap]

Just accidentaly bump it or drop the rock. That always.seems to work.for me even tho im not trying.to.do that..

 

[b_s_c1]

Thanks everyone. I thought it would be harder and damage more tissue but it sounds easy enough.

 

[Jfishdr]

The chisel works well. Just have someone there to catch big colonies. I popped my Hawkins off a rock after 7 years during my recent move and I went from one 12x15" colony to 3 and a hundred frags.

 

[mike_cmu04]

You could also use a hacksaw and cut the rock around the coral base.

 

[jc-reef]

I could let you borrow my Blue Hippo Tang....he seems to do a number in my tank...:lol::lol:

 

[sweet ride]

in my case it's a pare of clowns.

 

[uireef]

i use a ratchet pvc cutters.

 

[b_s_c1]

i use a ratchet pvc cutters.

I would think that would damage a bunch of tissue.