How to remove Cyphastria?

DracoKat · Jan 19, 2017

I have an encrusting Cyphastria (SP?), and I was advised by few people to move it or it'd take over nearby corals. So I decided to take that advice.

I managed to get off a big chunk that was sitting on a frag plug, but the parts that's already grown on the rocks, I can't take off. i can't remove the rock either as it's a supporting piece.

any ideas how to remove it just short of covering it with epoxy?

see photo for an idea of where and how it grew on the rock. it's now a thin ring. not a large area, but i don't want it to grow any more

jsker · Jan 19, 2017

I would suggest scraping it of the rock

DracoKat · Jan 19, 2017

I tried scraping with a razor blade, it's hard as a brick and I barely made a dent

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 19, 2017

That's why I have 3 colonies now. Kalk paste might kill it

DracoKat · Jan 19, 2017

I wish I was given this advice before it grew, lol. lesson learned for sure!

I will have to see if I can get some kalk paste

cloak · Jan 19, 2017

How come you don't want to smother it with epoxy? This would be the easiest way to get rid of it IMO.

DracoKat · Jan 19, 2017

I want to see if there's a different method. Epoxy is an eyesore for a while and my skimmer goes crazy. so if I can avoid that, I'd like to!

Larry L · Jan 20, 2017

Maybe you could try something like this: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...Epoxy-AquaMaxx-UJ94624-FIMTEP-UJ94625-vi.html

It's not really an epoxy, it's a thermoplastic that gets soft when heated, then hardens as it cools. Might be able to make a "cap" to cover the leftover Cyphastrea, and then pop it off after a while.

DracoKat · Jan 20, 2017

that may do it, thank you! I need to find a site that has it in stock

jsbull · Jan 20, 2017

Sorry, but I love cyphastrea. I have 28 frags in my aquarium that I'm hoping cover the majority of the rock. I can see how one type might be a nuisance, but I'm excited about the prospects of 15+ styles clashing. I figure there are plenty of corals that will hold their own against it.

DracoKat · Jan 20, 2017

ha, I love it too, but I don't want it dominating the rocks either. I moved it to a magnetic rock that's touching the overflow, I hope it grows on there at least for a nice bright background

BMW540 · Jan 20, 2017

DracoKat said:
that may do it, thank you! I need to find a site that has it in stock

You can buy the same thermoplastic on amazon; it's just not labeled for aquarium use and considerably cheaper.

therman · Jan 20, 2017

bone cutters used for fragging are great for grinding/cutting it off.

Coronus · Jan 21, 2017

Your gonna have to remove it. Cyphasteia is a weed. Just bite the bullet and remove the rock. Get a dremmel and make a small cut into the encrusted part. Take a flat head screw driver and place the tip into the slit, then twist. The encrusted parts will break away easy.

Higher Thinking · Jan 21, 2017

Use a blunt object and smash away on the rock until you grind it off. Obviously not super hard, but just enough. I've had to do that when moving acros.

Triggreef · Jan 21, 2017

therman said:
bone cutters used for fragging are great for grinding/cutting it off.

Agreed and you'll have many frags to sell

reefer1 · Jan 21, 2017

I had the same problem with a meteor shower cyphastrea. It just kept growing started growing into other corals. I tried everything to stop it. Epoxy and kalk paste only temporarily slowed it down.
The only cure is to remove the rock and chisel it off. Be sure to get at least 3/8" deep into the rock.
Good luck