Brown Polyps - How Do I Treat Live Rock?

[vertwake]

I have a really terrible infestation of brown nuisance polyps. I've tried pickling lime, and it gets rid of them for a while but they eventually come back because I can't seem to get all of them killed.

I'm tired of fighting them and am thinking about taking drastic measures, like taking part of my rock out to let it die to make sure everything on it dies. Is that a smart or dumb idea? Suggestions?

I need to get a plan figured out, my goal is to move to a larger tank in a new house in the next 2 years, and I don't want to transfer this into the new tank.

I also have a Moorish Idol and a Magnifica and I don't want to jeopardize them with massive rock changes.

Suggestions?

 

[saltyphish]

How easy is it to remove your rock? Maybe just buy more live rock and cure it first then swap out with old rock. Definitely want to take your time doing that so you don't disturb your bio filter. Not sure how those laser pens work. Might be something to look into or maybe someone else can share their thoughts.

 

[mfinn]

I had a few nice pieces of live rock that got covered with button polyps.
I took one piece at a time out of my tank and soaked it in a strong bleach solution for 3-4 days.
There were a couple stubborn polyps that just wouldn't dissolve, so I used a wire brush on them.
Then I soaked the rocks in a strong dechlorinator solution for 24 hours.
I also let them dry in the sun for another 24 before adding them back to the tank.

 

[vertwake]

I had a few nice pieces of live rock that got covered with button polyps.
I took one piece at a time out of my tank and soaked it in a strong bleach solution for 3-4 days.
There were a couple stubborn polyps that just wouldn't dissolve, so I used a wire brush on them.
Then I soaked the rocks in a strong dechlorinator solution for 24 hours.
I also let them dry in the sun for another 24 before adding them back to the tank.

This is more along the lines I was thinking. I can get the rock out pretty easily. I have some very nice pieces that I don't want to lose, so was trying to figure out the best way to eradicate the nuisance and still be able to keep the rocks long term.

After the rock has been cleaned and dried...it won't cause a spike in ammonia or cause issues if I re-introduce it to the tank will it? Or do I need to let it re-cycle again in another tank?

 

[mfinn]

After the rock has been cleaned and dried...it won't cause a spike in ammonia or cause issues if I re-introduce it to the tank will it? Or do I need to let it re-cycle again in another tank?

If the tank has established live rock, adding a small amount of rock with nothing on it to die will not cause the tank to recycle.
If there was something on the rock ( like it was fresh from the ocean ) that was stressed enough to die, then there might be problems.

 

[vertwake]

If the tank has established live rock, adding a small amount of rock with nothing on it to die will not cause the tank to recycle.
If there was something on the rock ( like it was fresh from the ocean ) that was stressed enough to die, then there might be problems.

Great thanks. Do I need to go through the trouble of the chlorine or can I just throw it outside to cook in the summer sun for a few days?

 

[mfinn]

Great thanks. Do I need to go through the trouble of the chlorine or can I just throw it outside to cook in the summer sun for a few days?

You are going to need something that will dissolve the polyps, and strong bleach will do that.

Just a fyi, I tried this once with muratic acid. I placed a really nice 16-18 lb rock that was covered in button ployps in a tub with muratic acid, thinking the muratic acid would work better.
I placed it in late in the afternoon. The next morning I went out and checked the tub and there was a mat of mush floating in the top of the tub and there was just little chunks of rock left in the bottom of the tub. The muratic acid reacted stronger to the calcium based rock then it did with plant matter. ( or whatever the polyps were, plant/animal matter)

A couple days ago I looked at a rock I had tossed outside to sit in the sun and while much of the polyps had shrunk to almost nothing, there was still some of the polyps on the rock.

 

[vertwake]

Hm...thanks for the insight and warning.

What did you use for the dechlorinator?

 

[mfinn]

Hm...thanks for the insight and warning.

What did you use for the dechlorinator?

I keep a big jug of API Tap Water Conditioner for just stuff like this.
It seems to be the cheapest.

I use to use Start Right Crystals, but they don't make it any more.

 

[vertwake]

Thanks!

 

[DFW]

Prime is a very concentrated dechlorinator.

Whatever you do, do not try to kill polyps with hot water in your kitchen sink! This has been tried, and with disastrous results. The fumes are toxic, and will send you to the hospital with nose, throat, eye, and lung problems!