How do you like to remove encrusting corals from rock?

Tft12 · Aug 4, 2018

I have a few corals that grow in a low encrusting form, like Superman Montipora, that I'd like to stop from encroaching on other corals.

What are some good options for me to cut back/kill back these types of low spreading corals?

Also, are there any good ways to frag them by cleanly/safely removing them from rock?

Retro Reefer · Aug 4, 2018

They are tough to get off once they attach.. if you can pull the rock and try a small sharp chisel to break the rock underneath them. I usually just break off what I can by hand, you can cover unwanted remnants on rock with super glue

Tft12 · Aug 4, 2018

I've been cutting them out/off with a sharp blade but it takes a lot of force from my hand and I feel like I could eventually slip and stab my hand.

Are there any chisel or hammer solutions that are safe to use inside the tank?

Mark3 · Aug 4, 2018

Hammer or chisel inside a glass tank doesn't sound like a good mix to me?

jda · Aug 4, 2018

You can cover them with 2-part putty or kalk paste (turn the pumps off). If you do not care if they live or removing frags, you can just maul them a screwdriver and then siphon the pieces out.

This is why a lot of people have a no-monti rule.

Tft12 · Aug 4, 2018

jda said:
you can just maul them a screwdriver and then siphon the pieces out.

Thanks. I think I'll go with some combination of this and the kalk paste. Any things to consider about the particular screwdriver that I stick in the tank or any other metal tools that I use in the tank?

jda · Aug 4, 2018

Stainless is fine. Make sure that you did not just scrape an oil pan with it, or something that might have a lot of residue. It will just be in there for 5 minutes, so no big deal.

Bill_Moorman · Aug 4, 2018

jda said:
You can cover them with 2-part putty or kalk paste (turn the pumps off). If you do not care if they live or removing frags, you can just maul them a screwdriver and then siphon the pieces out.

This is why a lot of people have a no-monti rule.

Why is that so? I have a piece of Superman monti that just grew off the plug and is encrusting on its designated rock.

Tft12 · Aug 4, 2018

Bill_Moorman said:
Why is that so?

Fast growers that can out compete some acros you might want to have in a certain area of the tank. I like them myself but they are taking some effort to control.

Tft12 · Aug 5, 2018

I went with one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Marking-Striking-Notching-Violin-813701/dp/B010WBQ0M8

It's a high carbon steel knife. It worked very well. No sure at all about reef safety. I washed it extremely well before using it.

danreefman · Aug 12, 2018

You can get bone cutters and just start digging and cutting into the rock. Doesn't really matter what kind of metal. Sometimes I just use whatever I can to chop up frags. Usually some gardening sheers which rust out pretty fast after use. I just toss em. But my coral never look Ill after I put some metal in the tank for a short bit.

danreefman · Aug 12, 2018

Montis are like xenia. I remember when sunset monti came out. Was like a roach. Just couldn't get rid of it

2Wheelsonly · Aug 12, 2018

building a putty wall where you don't want it to grow seems to work best for me.

2Wheelsonly · Aug 12, 2018

danreefman said:
Montis are like xenia. I remember when sunset monti came out. Was like a roach. Just couldn't get rid of it

I still enjoy encrusting monti..

mystic sunset, superman and rainbow when covering the right sections of rock look so good to me.

A. grandis · Aug 12, 2018

Remove the rock from the tank, get some towels and wrap the rock the best way around the bottom, and use a fine chiesel/hammer to carefully work removing the whole thing off the rock. Get the pieces, glue them to plugs and bring them to the LFS for a credit or give/trade them with some friends! You could isolate a frag in a small rock too. Have fun!