Disposing of palythoa

big deddy · May 1, 2018

I have a rock loaded with the green palys. Im considering getting them out due to more space for something colorful. Question is how to dispose of them. Should i bury them? I dont want anything to come into contact with them.

mahindra.dev · May 1, 2018

#reefsquad any thoughts!!

May be freezing the rock in a ziplock bag?? I have no experience with this. Hence reefsquad!!!

tdileo · May 1, 2018

You can trade them into LFS for credit or sell to another reefer buddy

JoshH · May 1, 2018

Are you looking to keep the rock they are on? If not then gloves/goggles/mask and a garbage bag and you're good to go

melypr1985 · May 1, 2018

Take the rock to the LFS. Take whatever they offer you for it and get something you like better

Crabs McJones · May 1, 2018

I agree. Get a bag and put your rock with water in the bag and see what your local fish store will give you for it (even if it's nothing, you were going to toss them anyway). Not worth the risk disposing of them or trying to remove them yourself

Jr'sReef · May 2, 2018

Do not freeze, why risk contaminating the very area where food goes?
I third the LFS route

reef lover · May 2, 2018

This worked for me...

mfinn · May 2, 2018

Best way I've found to get rid of button polyps is using bleach.
3-4 cups in 5 gallons of water for a couple days.
Repeat if necessary.

Greybeard · May 2, 2018

Give 'em to someone needy

LFS will probably take them. Likely trade you out for a similar sized bit of live rock, some store credit, something. A new reefer, trying to fill a new tank, would be happy to have them. Why destroy them?

I would recommend gloves, or better yet, tongs, to handle the colony.

big deddy · May 2, 2018

I will try to trade them. Im just looking at if no one takes them. I will try to trade for a piece of live rock

big deddy · May 2, 2018

I dont mind the way they look under blues, but they are brown under whites

HB AL · May 2, 2018

Your local lfs should take them, they will sell them and make money. Don't ask for much maybe just a rock. I wouldn't go through the hassle of trying to sell them privately. If you lfs doesn't take them which I doubt they won't and if you don't really need the rock just pitch it. If you want the rock then blast it with the garden hose and leave it outside in the sun, repeat process a couple times over the course of a couple weeks.

TripleDogDareYah · May 2, 2018

You are fortunate they are on a small rock and isolated on the sand bed... I had these things taking over at one point. Killed a bunch using kalk and the palytoxin reeked havoc on some of my lps that had feeders out at night. The odd thing is that after this some of those lps that got hurt some of my lps like a fungia dendros started making babies like crazy.

saltyfilmfolks · May 2, 2018

I put mine in the garden last year.

In fact , I just put it back in my empty coral qt to cycle.

Erwan E · May 3, 2018

Is a piece of rock worth all that work?
Trade it, give it away or last ... trash can.

My green star polyps started to over grow so I do a monthly trimming... goes into the toilet

kecked · May 3, 2018

Bleach is suitable.
https://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publi...I_g.pdf#x2013; G: Toxin Agents [PDF - 339 KB]</a>%20

Link for those who want detail.

Take 1 cup of household bleach newly bought. It decays over time. Add to 5 gallon of water. Place material in bucket and let sit for 24vhours. They say 30 min because the toxin is usually pure in a lab so the bleach can get to it. In tissue it takes time to soak in. The longer the better up to the point the tissue dissolves then it’s just over kill. You can the dump it down the drain. Rinse the bucket a few times with di water and your done.

Never grind or make the water aerosolate. Ie splash or make fine droplets from adding air stone or such. Keep the bucket sealed.

I agree giving them to lfs. Is best. Why destroy what others want.

2 cents

Halal Hotdog · May 3, 2018

I agree with the bleach idea, if you want to keep the rock or if LFS doesn't offer you anything. If you decide to bleach try to do it in a well ventilated area like your garage or outside.
1. Premix the solution, bleach is cheap so feel free to use straight from the bottle with no additional dilution.
2. While wearing gloves take the rock and put in bucket with solution.
3. Let magic happen.
4. I would leave it in for a few hours than evaluate or a full day, then evaluate.
5. After done I would let the rock air dry, then place in buck with RODI water and add dechlorinator, then air dry again.