removing zoas from massive rock

[Headache]

how can i frag zoas from a massive peice of LR in my tank? I must be doing something right cause my green zoas grew so fast they spilled off the little rock i got them on, and onto a huge bridge peice.

Any tactics for removing / saving them without killing them, and without removing the LR?



TY

 

[kass03]

I use a bonecutter to kinda shave them off the live rock.

I do get a small piece of rock (just a layer) with them but I want that so I can superglue them to a frag rock. Before I had the bonecutter I used a scissors to do the same thing.

 

[Headache]

so pretty much, as long as i dont shred them totally, if i mount them correctly in thier new home, i shouldnt be too worried

 

[Auntbeez]

Pretty much.
I had some yellow star polyps I yanked off with tweezers and threw them in a cup of rubble rock in the sump. Almost all of them took hold and lived.
Very true the YSPs are like weeds and hard to kill, but the point is I wasn't too careful and as long as the polyps weren't shredded they made it.
Don't be afraid, zoos are hardy too.

 

[kass03]

No I dont actually cut the zoa's with a scissors/bonecutter. I cut the rock right underneath them just shaving off the rock under them so you arent cutting up all your rock.
That way you have a small base on the zoas to glue to another rock and dont have to try to reattach them. I do the same with mushrooms.
I use a razorblade to seperate the zoa colony from each other if its bigger than I want.

kass

 

[Auntbeez]

When I did the star polyps, I wasn't going to save them, when you do the zoos, you definitely want to try to do it kass03's way and take a little rock from under the polyps (cut into the fleshy stuff as little as possible).
Fragging for the first time can be a little scary. Start with a small spot and mount them. Once you see how they are doing... attack the rest of the rock.

 

[Auntbeez]

I remember seeing a good demo by Achapman.
This is a link of the photos/ directions he posted

 

[ZAZA71]

ya nice walk through. I use a small wood chisel on rocks I can't remove. always cuts through rock like butter.

 

[abereefur]

most LR is softer than you think. i use an exacto knife to cut a thin (very thin) sheet of rock underneath the zoas, and cut the CONNECTING tissue between the zoas. they will come off nice and alive for you.

 

[phil121]

Wow. That is a nice walk through. Let us know how it goes removing them.

 

[sanddune600]

i have cut right through the flesh and super glued them to rocks it does not get as good of results but i was taking some off that where intertwined with other zoas so i wanted to keep them alive and remove these they mostly grew and seem to be doing fine

 

[Skeptic_07]

It is going to be a little more difficult since you're working in the tank. you can use an exacto knife or a scalpel to cut into most LR relatively easily. Use your other hand to stabilize the one holding the knife and gouge into the rock under the polyps. You will be surprised at how easy it is to cut. make sure you dry the blades of as soon as you're done. whatever metal remains wet with saltwater will rust very quickly. Even my stainless steel foreceps get rust spots if i leave them wet.

 

[jhnsail]

Thanks for the how to, going to try that soon

 

[kes_reef]

nice step by step process, quite helpful info.

 

[willper]

That was an excellent "How to". I figure if you look around RC enough you will get a good education!

 

[Akaash]

Very helpful, great pics =)