Mushroom Removal Thoughts

[MeMyFishandI]

So I have a couple hairy mushrooms that need to re-homed. I was thinking of going about it in one of two ways.

Option 1. Chisel the rock off around the base of the mushroom. Now if I do this, what do I do for tools. Can I just run down to Princess Auto (It is like Harbour Freight for those of you in the US) and 2. buy a small hammer and chisel, wash them carefully and go to town? Or should I spend some bucks and get coral specific tools?

Option 2. Try to remove as much of them with a razor blade. I am not a fan of this idea, I am worried I'll slip and take a chunk of my finger off.

Is there anything else I should know in advance before I start the removal process?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Vette67]

I went through the same things years ago. I had mushrooms take over my tank. They were the metallic blue mushrooms. Cool looking at first, but then they absolutely became a pest and overtook everything. The way I got rid of them was by using a straight razor blade. But not how you are thinking. You don't actually cut the mushrooms off at the base, you use the blade to get under the foot and peel it off the rock. That way everything is removed and you don't run the risk of leaving a small chunk to grow back later. One word of caution. They don't like being peeled off. And they will often squirt water out of their mouth when you do this. One of them hit me in the eye, and I had to go to the doctor. My eye was irritated for a couple days. Nothing serious, but it was not pleasant. So wear some sort of glasses when you do this.

I feel your pain, and good luck!

 

[MeMyFishandI]

I went through the same things years ago. I had mushrooms take over my tank. They were the metallic blue mushrooms. Cool looking at first, but then they absolutely became a pest and overtook everything. The way I got rid of them was by using a straight razor blade. But not how you are thinking. You don't actually cut the mushrooms off at the base, you use the blade to get under the foot and peel it off the rock. That way everything is removed and you don't run the risk of leaving a small chunk to grow back later. One word of caution. They don't like being peeled off. And they will often squirt water out of their mouth when you do this. One of them hit me in the eye, and I had to go to the doctor. My eye was irritated for a couple days. Nothing serious, but it was not pleasant. So wear some sort of glasses when you do this.

I feel your pain, and good luck!

I’m not sure I follow, how do you remove the foot without cutting around the base?

 

[Vette67]

I’m not sure I follow, how do you remove the foot without cutting around the base?

I just use the corner of the blade as a scraper to get under the foot of the mushroom and peel it off. I had dozens to practice on, because I was trying to cull my explosive growth. But the same would work if you are trying to transplant. You just need something sharp that can dig into the rock slightly to get under the mushroom to peel it off the rock. You are not using the blade to cut at all. Once you do it, you will realize how easy it is and how little effort it takes. But again, wear glasses, just to be safe.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Scoop it off like a shovel using an old credit card or plastic spoon.

 

[MeMyFishandI]

I have about five I need to get rid of, so I have lots of opportunities to try both methods!
I’ll wear my glasses..I’d have to if I want to see anything anyways!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I've always just used a stainless steel pocket knife and dug into the rock at the base of the shroom until it falls off.