Controlling zoas

[mushrommy]

I plan on getting some fruit loop does soon. Even though they grow slow all of my rock is connected and I heard some can take over. So when the time comes or if it ever comes is there a way to remove/frag them without breaking the
rock or removing the rock? Thanks!

 

[The_Paradox]

I would probably do it the same way I frag zoas and encrusting corals out of my DT. Just glue a tile in front of where they will grow. When they over grow the tile, take a razor and score the edge of the tile. Then pop it off the rock and replace with a new one. You end up with a naturally attached healthy frag and you maintain the coral DMZ so to speak.

 

[Bruttall]

I would probably do it the same way I frag zoas and encrusting corals out of my DT. Just glue a tile in front of where they will grow. When they over grow the tile, take a razor and score the edge of the tile. Then pop it off the rock and replace with a new one. You end up with a naturally attached healthy frag and you maintain the coral DMZ so to speak.

Planning Ahead is a really good thing IMO!

 

[mushrommy]

I would probably do it the same way I frag zoas and encrusting corals out of my DT. Just glue a tile in front of where they will grow. When they over grow the tile, take a razor and score the edge of the tile. Then pop it off the rock and replace with a new one. You end up with a naturally attached healthy frag and you maintain the coral DMZ so to speak.

Thank you!

 

[The_Paradox]

As a pro-tip, throw 20-30 frag tiles in the sump to “cycle” so when you replace them they are not bright.

 

[Just John]

The tile is what I would recommend too, but If that doesn't work for some reason you can always just snip off individual heads. I have some that keep trying to take over a rock and I just snip off polyps, let them sit in the sand or a cup for a couple of days and then glue them to a plug to make frags out of them. You can scrape off the base left on the rock if you need to when you do a water change to suck it up as you go. But for me the base usually just recedes on it's own. Cuticle scissors are perfect for this. In my experience, don't use your wife's scissors for this. You will regret it.

 

[mushrommy]

Is peeling an option?

 

[PhishMonger84]

another problem i wish i had...

 

[mushrommy]

The tile is what I would recommend too, but If that doesn't work for some reason you can always just snip off individual heads. I have some that keep trying to take over a rock and I just snip off polyps, let them sit in the sand or a cup for a couple of days and then glue them to a plug to make frags out of them. You can scrape off the base left on the rock if you need to when you do a water change to suck it up as you go. But for me the base usually just recedes on it's own. Cuticle scissors are perfect for this. In my experience, don't use your wife's scissors for this. You will regret it.

Thanks for the response!

 

[ninjamyst]

Surround your zoas with encrusting montiporas. JK. Don't do it.

 

[The_Paradox]

Is peeling an option?

Off glass yes, rock not so much.

 

[PhishMonger84]

Surround your zoas with encrusting montiporas. JK. Don't do it.

why not?

 

[ninjamyst]

why not?

Cuz encrusting montiporas is even harder to remove once they encrust. In a fight between zoas and encrusting montiporas, monti will win. Monti will pretty much win against everything....

 

[mushrommy]

Surround your zoas with encrusting montiporas. JK. Don't do it.

Lol, I hope to either put them in the front of the tank witch does have nems, or all the way in the empty back.

 

[PhishMonger84]

Cuz encrusting montiporas is even harder to remove once they encrust. In a fight between zoas and encrusting montiporas, monti will win. Monti will pretty much win against everything....

Thank you, is a monti a good starter SPS for the newb?>

 

[ninjamyst]

Thank you, is a monti a good starter SPS for the newb?>

Yes but there are two main kinds of montiporas. One is the encrusting kind and they spread fast. The other kind is commonly referred to cap or plating montiporas. They grow out as a plate instead of encrusting. Both are easier SPS but just be mindful of where you put them. If you want a beginner SPS that doesn't encrust much, birdsnest are great.

 

[mushrommy]

Yes but there are two main kinds of montiporas. One is the encrusting kind and they spread fast. The other kind is commonly referred to cap or plating montiporas. They grow out as a plate instead of encrusting. Both are easier SPS but just be mindful of where you put them. If you want a beginner SPS that doesn't encrust much, birdsnest are great.

My first sps died pretty quickly, and it was a birdsnest! Lol, that taught me to prepare even more before purchasing!