Cutting live rock

[specialk]

Hey all

So taking some existing rock that is in my tank out today and replacing it with some cured new rock. The reason I am doing this is because there is some nasty stuff (nuclear green palys) that are on some parts of the rock.

The thing is, it is only on the edges and outer portion of the rock. Most of the rock is not affected. So I am wanting to basically chip away/cut the bad portion of the rock off, and simply use the rest of the rock. (seeing as I obviously do not want to mess with those palys...)

So what is the best way that many of you have used to basically cut apart live rock?

A simple hammer and chissel?
Dremmel?
Saw?

Look forward to hearing what is best and easiest ...

BTW .. I do not have a dremmel or a saw (can always buy one if need be)

 

[BenitaSolo]

Depends on the type of rock. Live rock that comes out of the ocean (no mines or man made) is typically pretty brittle and easy to chisel. Usually crumbles apart in bigger sections than intended. Be careful cutting and hammering love rock, it's not come nasty stuff on it. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE CUTTING INTO PALYTHOAS!!

You could considering killing the polyps with a Kalkwasser paste solution over the next several water changes.

 

[specialk]

Depends on the type of rock. Live rock that comes out of the ocean (no mines or man made) is typically pretty brittle and easy to chisel. Usually crumbles apart in bigger sections than intended. Be careful cutting and hammering love rock, it's not come nasty stuff on it. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE CUTTING INTO PALYTHOAS!!

You could considering killing the polyps with a Kalkwasser paste solution over the next several water changes.

My understanding was to not kill them in the tank, as they release that nasty stuff. Risk vs reward was not great with that (am I wrong?)

Also, I def will NOT cut into those palys...

 

[KJAG]

Are you eliminating them because you’re simply afraid of palytoxin in a live, healthy colony, or you just don’t like them because of other reasons? Keep in mind those of us who frag regularly are cutting into toxin laden paly’s All the time. It’s simply a non issue if you take proper precautions. Safety glasses, gloves, bandana around your face and if you’re extra cautious a long sleeve shirt( I just wear a t shirt)
Almost all of the horror stories from this toxin are from aeroslized transmission or a squirt in the eye and maybe mouth.

To cut: easiest way would be a hacksaw and then use a dremel with a tile grinder bit or similar to round out the 90 degree edges of your cut so it looks more natural, and/ or cut then glue or cement in another section of rock.

 

[specialk]

Are you eliminating them because you’re simply afraid of palytoxin in a live, healthy colony, or you just don’t like them because of other reasons? Keep in mind those of us who frag regularly are cutting into toxin laden paly’s All the time. It’s simply a non issue if you take proper precautions. Safety glasses, gloves, bandana around your face and if you’re extra cautious a long sleeve shirt( I just wear a t shirt)
Almost all of the horror stories from this toxin are from aeroslized transmission or a squirt in the eye and maybe mouth.

To cut: easiest way would be a hacksaw and then use a dremel with a tile grinder bit or similar to round out the 90 degree edges of your cut so it looks more natural, and/ or cut then glue or cement in another section of rock.

Cutting it because I cant stand them, they spread and kill my sps. I want to be totally sps only. so just eliminating them by cutting the rock off where they are.

 

[specialk]

As you can see...its just on the outer portion of the rock

 

[Texas Reefer]

I used a screwdriver and a hammer to chisel the Texas Trash away from the rest of my rock. Please use eye protection and rubber gloves, and do it outside. I even put a tarp down to catch the little chips and nasty water. Easier cleanup, as my dog likes to put everything in her mouth.

 

[KJAG]

From the photo they look a little more substantially settled than your description, but it could just be the photo. Would hate to remove such a critical piece of that scape. After seeing the photo, I’d prob second the Kalk paste/ slow removal.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sharp new chisel. Score the Rock with a screwdriver.
Be careful.

 

[BenitaSolo]

To chime in again-
I spent several weeks killing GSP with kalk paste, a siphon and a scraper of sorts.
Turn the flow off and cover them with paste. Siphon the paste off and replace with new water.
After an undetermined about of time they will get brittle and probably much easier to scrape and scrub. If you do everything with the flow off and siphon as you go you should be fine. You will eliminate them faster than they will spread.
Oh and run carbon if you're concerned with toxins.

 

[specialk]

To chime in again-
I spent several weeks killing GSP with kalk paste, a siphon and a scraper of sorts.
Turn the flow off and cover them with paste. Siphon the paste off and replace with new water.
After an undetermined about of time they will get brittle and probably much easier to scrape and scrub. If you do everything with the flow off and siphon as you go you should be fine. You will eliminate them faster than they will spread.
Oh and run carbon if you're concerned with toxins.

Awesome... thank you for this!