Corals out of water

Watevadog5 · Oct 19, 2020

Redoing my floors today! Im going to drain tank (90 gallon + 40 sump ) Sump will be emptied and moved. Tank will be drained as little as possible to allow me to lift, place on sliders and push out of the way. Corals in question are all zoas... How long can I keep them out of water ? I have read anywhere from minutes to hours. Any insight is helpful.

Waters · Oct 19, 2020

Watevadog5 said:
Redoing my floors today! Im going to drain tank (90 gallon + 40 sump ) Sump will be emptied and moved. Tank will be drained as little as possible to allow me to lift, place on sliders and push out of the way. Corals in question are all zoas... How long can I keep them out of water ? I have read anywhere from minutes to hours. Any insight is helpful.

I can't speak to specific species or time unfortunately, but coral are left out of the water in direct sunlight in shallow reefs every time the tide goes out. I would just move everything as quick as possible.

Rjukan · Oct 19, 2020

When dealing with Zoas or Palys I wouldn't leave them out of water if I could help it. Not because they would perish, more because of toxin that could then become airborne. Just be careful and try to keep them submerged as long as possible.

rcpalmer1 · Oct 19, 2020

I would not leave them out of the water while redoing the floor. I would drain the water. Move the tank. Replace the water. As long as the tank is healthy and the water is in good condition a couple of power heads can keep a tank alive for days. Don't worry about lights and keep the corals wet. Once the floor is done I would drain and move the tank back. It will be extra work draining the tank twice but a greater chance of success.

Nick Steele · Oct 19, 2020

Why not place them in a small bucket filler with water?

KorD · Oct 19, 2020

I tore down one tank and built up another.
I had my corals out of water and just wet paper towels on them for a few hours..

Had a football size rock of GSP I don’t want, threw it out into the front lawn.. decided 5 hours later I should keep a little of it. Went out and walked it with a rock hammer, rinsed it off and threw it in the tank.
It’s still alive and no issues.

Pistol Peet · Oct 19, 2020

KorD said:
I tore down one tank and built up another.
I had my corals out of water and just wet paper towels on them for a few hours..

Had a football size rock of GSP I don’t want, threw it out into the front lawn.. decided 5 hours later I should keep a little of it. Went out and walked it with a rock hammer, rinsed it off and threw it in the tank.
It’s still alive and no issues.

You're crazy not just for throwing it out in the front lawn but thinking we should go pick it back up and throw it in our tank you know why you threw in the lawn in the first place you know why you didn't want it weed LOL

KorD · Oct 19, 2020

Pistol Peet said:
You're crazy not just for throwing it out in the front lawn but thinking we should go pick it back up and throw it in our tank you know why you threw in the lawn in the first place you know why you didn't want it weed LOL

I had a laps in judgment.. but figured I would just toss it in for now being it's own little island. I will break it up again and just put it on the back wall so it will take over the rear of the tank.

I'm betting it will end up on the lawn again one of these days.. but then again with the price of it.. I could sell that chunk for billions ( the little chunk I kept is still the size of my hand.)

Pistol Peet · Oct 19, 2020

KorD said:
I had a laps in judgment.. but figured I would just toss it in for now being it's own little island. I will break it up again and just put it on the back wall so it will take over the rear of the tank.

I'm betting it will end up on the lawn again one of these days.. but then again with the price of it.. I could sell that chunk for billions ( the little chunk I kept is still the size of my hand.)

Yeah you're good I have some GSP on the back glass of my tank the only place in a tank I like it and think it looks good actually looks pretty cool when it finishes covering all the back glass

vetteguy53081 · Oct 19, 2020

Watevadog5 said:
Redoing my floors today! Im going to drain tank (90 gallon + 40 sump ) Sump will be emptied and moved. Tank will be drained as little as possible to allow me to lift, place on sliders and push out of the way. Corals in question are all zoas... How long can I keep them out of water ? I have read anywhere from minutes to hours. Any insight is helpful.

Place them in a Rubbermaid tub or similar and should be good for 12-18 hours
Remember, they ship well and are in tiny bags for 24-36 hours

KorD · Oct 19, 2020

Pistol Peet said:
Yeah you're good I have some GSP on the back glass of my tank the only place in a tank I like it and think it looks good actually looks pretty cool when it finishes covering all the back glass

going to take a while to fill in.. just set up the 130gal. never had a tank this large before.

Pistol Peet · Oct 19, 2020

KorD said:
going to take a while to fill in.. just set up the 130gal. never had a tank this large before.

Well congrats on the upgrade go big or go home I say I have a 160 gallon and a 210 gallon let's see a pic of his new tank of yours sure it looking at really good already

andrewkw · Oct 19, 2020

They should be fine out of water for the balance of the day. I would just cover them in wet paper towels (the rock too).

KorD · Oct 19, 2020

Pistol Peet said:
Well congrats on the upgrade go big or go home I say I have a 160 gallon and a 210 gallon let's see a pic of his new tank of yours sure it looking at really good already

Check out the build thread under my avatar. will take you to my page..
For not my tank sucks.. LOL

mike550 · Oct 19, 2020

My thoughts are similar to @rcpalmer1 I would drain the sump / tank to the extent needed to safely move everything, then either add the "old" tank water back in or this is a great time for a sump cleaning / water change! Just be careful of the water temperature. My sense is that as long as the corals stay "wet" on the surface you're okay.