How To Move Zoas

[cjpitt80]

Hi guys,
I have some zoas completely full on a medium sized rock. I want to start a zoa garden on the other side of the tank with some existing rasta zoas I have. How do I move SOME zoas from the rock over to the other bigger rock to get a garden going? Should I be cutting individual polyps? Do I need to pull the rock out, somehow cut part of it off then epoxy where I want it? I'm not looking to move the entire rock colony, just some zoas to get a garden going?
Thanks!
PS--> I know highly toxic. Nitrile gloves, chemical splash goggles, Level 4 Biohazard rebreather mask with medical air exhausted thru HEPA filter....

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do not cut polyps. May be of danger or risk

 

[ZoWhat]

Best to chisel the rock they are growing on if you want a larger colony broken down into a few smaller pieces.

But a heavy duty thick "MASON chisel" at Home Depot or Lowes

Dasco Pro 4 in. x 7 in. Brick Set Chisel G437 - The Home Depot

The Dasco Pro 4 in. x 7 in. Brick Set gives you clean cuts in cement block, cinder block, patio block and brick. The precision ground cutting edge is heat-treated, making it ideal for many types of masonry

www.homedepot.com

 

[jd371]

I wondered about this also. What if the rock can't be removed from the tank to chisel a piece off ?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I wondered about this also. What if the rock can't be removed from the tank to chisel a piece off ?

If you have sections of the rock that are accessible while in the tank, you can take small chunks out with bone cutters. You just need to be sure and use common sense with this method. You do not want to go nuts and disrupt the rock too much if it supporting something.

I have done this and used an exacto knife to cut the mat for the zoas between the polyps, but make sure to not cut the polyps. Run a little carbon afterwards and so far no issues with palyotoxins or anything like that. One more thing. Make sure to use gloves that allow none of your skin to get wet just in case. Do not need any nasties getting in open cuts and such.

 

[cjpitt80]

Best to chisel the rock they are growing on if you want a larger colony broken down into a few smaller pieces.

But a heavy duty thick "MASON chisel" at Home Depot or Lowes

Dasco Pro 4 in. x 7 in. Brick Set Chisel G437 - The Home Depot

The Dasco Pro 4 in. x 7 in. Brick Set gives you clean cuts in cement block, cinder block, patio block and brick. The precision ground cutting edge is heat-treated, making it ideal for many types of masonry

www.homedepot.com

HA! I actually already have this chisel in the garage. Ok so gear up. Pull rock out. Chisel piece off. Put remaining pieces in QT tank for a week with GAC (just in case). Put original rock back. Epoxy newly chiseled piece where i want it. Thanks!