Best Method for Removing/Fragging Zoas from Liverock

[nautical_nathaniel]

I am trying to relocate most, if not all, of a Sunny D zoa colony I have had on my liverock for a while now. I was wondering what the general consensus is on removing them without potentially messing up the whole tank. There's about 30-40 polyps and if I lose some it won't be the end of the world. I was going to pick at them from the edge with a pointy knife and some tweezers to try and get a few off at a time. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Note: The picture of the colony is when I first attached them.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I am trying to relocate most, if not all, of a Sunny D zoa colony I have had on my liverock for a while now. I was wondering what the general consensus is on removing them without potentially messing up the whole tank. There's about 30-40 polyps and if I lose some it won't be the end of the world. I was going to pick at them from the edge with a pointy knife and some tweezers to try and get a few off at a time. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Wear gloves, and a face mask. I'm not sure which zoas do and do not have the palytoxin, but it's not worth the risk to find out the hard way lol. But a tweezers and sharp knife or scalpel are probably the best way.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Update: Got about half off by pulling at the frag plug they were on from underneath. Alot came off as a part of the larger mat

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

This is what I have left:

 

[A. grandis]

I am trying to relocate most, if not all, of a Sunny D zoa colony I have had on my liverock for a while now. I was wondering what the general consensus is on removing them without potentially messing up the whole tank. There's about 30-40 polyps and if I lose some it won't be the end of the world. I was going to pick at them from the edge with a pointy knife and some tweezers to try and get a few off at a time. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Note: The picture of the colony is when I first attached them.

Sharp pointed knife and screw driver. Use them sideways and have a common sense!
Gloves, goggles and a close moth!!!
Grandis.

 

[mfinn]

I usually remove the rock from the tank and lay it on a towel on the floor.
My tools of choice are cheap sharp wood chisels ( harbor freight ) and a hammer.
I always try and take a little bit of the rock with the polyps. Aim too shallow and you risk damaging them.
As posted about, use eye protection and rubber gloves. And keeping your mouth closed is another big one.