Removing Palys safely

[Ocelaris]

So I have a bunch of ugly Palys taking over and I'd like to remove them safely. Any tips for getting rid of them safely? I could squirt them with kalk, or grab a them with pinchers? Just wanted to do it in the most safe fashion possible given their toxicity.

The zoas are fine, and you can't see the main area on the rock where they've spread. But I need to do some of it carefully not to hurt the zoas.

It's not that they're that ugly or bothering anything yet, but I want to make room and having such toxic things in the tank bothers me. Thanks!

 

[thaitopher]

Just use gloves. I have transported mine from one tank to another. No problems. Make sure not to breathe any of them in

 

[Ocelaris]

Do they freak out and squirt? Basically I plan on ripping them off the rock, so just not sure if I need to try and not squish or tear them?

 

[BoomCorals]

Do they freak out and squirt? Basically I plan on ripping them off the rock, so just not sure if I need to try and not squish or tear them?

Yes they squirt. If you're planning to do that wear eye goggles and face mask. Every other time I delicately cut up rock zoas are on, one of them inevitably squirts juice at my face.

 

[danschoenherr]

I've done this in a 1 gallon ice cream bucket or a 5 gallon bucket cut short so the rock is under water and any squirting "juices" are contained. Plus there are usually crabs, snails and other critters you may want to save. Try a large tweezers and they will usually pull right off. This will only slow the growth as you won't be able to get all of the tissue. If it was a desirable colony you'd kill'em all!

 

[Ocelaris]

Thanks, they're not actually spreading that much these days as they're boxed in by the zoas and sps, but someday they're going to need to be thinned.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Also wear eye protection too

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I just killed a bunch with kalk paste. Dripped a glob on top. Now they're dead. No ripping no tearing. Just did it in the tank.

 

[Ocelaris]

Did you remove the rock to spread the kalk paste on it? Just trying to figure out how a paste wouldn't go everywhere once I put it in the tank.

 

[mfinn]

I've used thick kalk paste to battle invasive polyps before. I usually did it as part of a water change.
I turn off all pumps and wait until the water is calm.
Cover the area with hot kalk paste and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
Then siphon off as much as the kalk paste as possible.
I usually go with light flow until the next day.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Did you remove the rock to spread the kalk paste on it? Just trying to figure out how a paste wouldn't go everywhere once I put it in the tank.

Its exactly the same as using aptasia x

 

[mfinn]

I've used thick kalk paste to battle invasive polyps before. I usually did it as part of a water change.
I turn off all pumps and wait until the water is calm.
Cover the area with hot kalk paste and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
Then siphon off as much as the kalk paste as possible.
I usually go with light flow until the next day.

I forgot to mention I use a 5ml plastic syringe. If the kalk paste is thick, and the water is calm, it will lay on it.
Then siphon it off.

 

[mfinn]

Or take the rock out of the water and use a hammer and chisel.
Safety glass and gloves are recommended.

 

[Ocelaris]

I forgot to mention I use a 5ml plastic syringe. If the kalk paste is thick, and the water is calm, it will lay on it.
Then siphon it off.

Thanks, that's kind of what I was looking for.

I've never used aptasia x. I assumed it was a medicine.

 

[littlebigreef]

Aptasia x is pretty good stuff. You can just burn the palys outta areas you don't want to rip them off of. Also +1 on the goggles. I got utter chaos juice in my eye and it was funky for a week. Naturally be careful not to wipe your face or nose while you're working. Odds are even if you pull out all of the paly tissue some will grow back so be ready to dive back in in a few weeks to finish the job. While it might be over kill it wouldn't be a bad idea to run a siphon hose over the area where you were working and do a small 5 gal water change. I once ripped out a patch of flame clove polyps that had overgrown some zoas. On their way out they musta **** the bed because I ended up losing large tracks of zoas that had been under the cloves.

 

[Cnidoblast]

When working with paly's it is best to have goggles, gloves and to open all your windows as PTX can be aerosolized easily

 

[mfinn]

When working with paly's it is best to have goggles, gloves and to open all your windows as PTX can be aerosolized easily

What is PTX?

 

[VelocityTech]

Arent only specific Zoa colonies toxic? Or do we suspect all zoa's to be toxic for?

 

[Ocelaris]

I'm assuming ptx is palytoxin. Different species have different toxicity. I believe Palys have more toxin than zoas, but given it's the second most toxic poison to man, you can't be too safe.

 

[mfinn]

When working with paly's it is best to have goggles, gloves and to open all your windows as PTX can be aerosolized easily

It's not like they are a bomb that's about to go off.
Never seen palythoas or zoanthids aerosolize.
Open all the windows? Never heard that one before.