Breaking rock to move zoas

[Fudsey]

I have a good size piece of rock that has some Zoas and Cloves on. I really want to break the rock up a bit to make it smaller pieces for my new tank.

Knowing all about the paly toxins and what they can pose, should I try to do this submerged in water in a container or outside of water?

I can also do this outside as the weather is cooperating right now for less chance of exposure.

I need some advice form some of you more experienced with Zoas.

 

[Lasse]

Nothing is 100 % safe when handling with some Zoas IMO - and you never know if they are infected with palotoxin or not. The way would do it is to use gloves, goggles and breathing mask. Breathing mask with a activated carbon filter. And I would do it submerged. 17 years ago - when not following this advises - I ended up at the hospital.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[mfinn]

I have done exactly what you are going to do, dozens and dozens of times through the years.
Maybe I got lucky, IDK.
But all I did was remove the rock from the water, and place it on a towel.
I use a cheap wood chisel ( harbor freight) and hammer.
I find the place I want to start cracking the rock at and place the chisel in the spot. I place another towel ( damp) over the main part of the rock to keep pieces from flying.
Sometimes pieces fly all over and makes a mess.
I never used hand protection, but always used safety glasses. ( working construction you end up with alot of them).
I guess keeping your mouth closed during the procedure goes without saying.

 

[Lasse]

The problem as I see it - you never know which zoa colonies that is infested with the microorganism responsible for the production of palotoxin. And its airborne among other things

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Fudsey]

This is why I might just do it outside on my deck. At least there's a lot of fresh air to disperse the toxins if they do get released. I have only one rock and it's hopefully only going to need to be broken once to get them separated.