Keeping coral out of water

[BigRed78]

Hello everyone! Not sure if this is the right thread but my fish are getting a new home! Currently I have a mixed reef that’s a 75 gallon with a 40 Breeder as a sump I will be upgrading to a 100 gallon using a 55 as a sump. I’m coming up on my second year reefing and I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge thanks to you guys. I want a cleaner looking sump and to redesign it so it works more effectively. I bought about 40 lbs more dry rock but the only issue is I want to reuse most of the rock I already have in the 75. The move has to be done in one shot as the old tank is in the way of the new one. I don’t have to take down the tank I can leave that up but the sump isn’t under it it’s next to it. That conflicts with the space I need for the 100 gallon. The one issue I’m having is I have two pieces of rock with coral that are encrusted over it. One is a galaxia the other is allegedly a monti cap according to my lfs but I’m pretty sure it’s just encrusting. The way my plan is going these corals and rocks are going to be out of the water for a few hours. I wanted to put the rocks in first and the sand and finally the water so it makes less of a mess. The aquas cape will take some time as I want to drill out some pieces and make some arches. Could I get away with misting the rock with a spray bottle. Will the coral and microfauna in the rock survive this? Thank you, John

 

[Pntbll687]

The most likely will not survive a couple hours out of water.

When you're ready to transfer everything, just put them in a bucket of water, they'll be fine in there.

If you want the rock they are on for the bottom of the new tank, put the sand in first, but clear a spot where the rock will go. Then put the rock in and spread the sand around. You'll need to start filling water after that.

Keep the coral wet. Spraying some water on them will help, but 15-20min completely out of water is pushing it.

If you want to reshape the rock they are on, just frag the corals off, put them in a bucket, then start working with the rock.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I’ve taken my rocks out to scrub off algae and stuff for up to an hour without any harm; my sponges were even fine. I had a green monti cap, an acro and zoas on the rocks; everything was fine. You can spray your rocks to keep them moist; 3 hours might be pushing it.

 

[rwreef]

Use a bucket of water to store the coral while you move stuff around.

 

[BigRed78]

Alright thank you I think I’m either gonna put the sand in first so I can fill it or just do the first layer of rock sand and then fill it and finish off the top of the scape.