Removing Palys?!

[whixley101]

Alright experts..... I need advice for removing a three by three patch of palys out of my my reef tank. They are over taking some SPS around them and it is the paly I have. I understand they can be toxic so I understand the glasses and gloves. The rock can not be removed.(tried last night) Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Usatennisfan]

Try covering them up with reef putty, worked for me in the past. But they will probably overgrow the area again before the sps can. Cover them up then move the rock around so you don't have that problem. I always have set my z/p on rock away from my main scape so they can't take over.

 

[whixley101]

When covering the palys with epoxy, will they still release toxins?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Likely not

When covering the palys with epoxy, will they still release toxins?

 

[whixley101]

Try covering them up with reef putty, worked for me in the past. But they will probably overgrow the area again before the sps can. Cover them up then move the rock around so you don't have that problem. I always have set my z/p on rock away from my main scape so they can't take over.

All of my zoas are on my sand bed but these palys! Big mistake on my part. After 12 years, you think I would have known better.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As with aptasia, Injecting them with lemon juice should down them In their tracks.

 

[bb2jdm]

Aptasia x would probably help kill them

 

[tuna_bullet]

remove them from the tank put them in a bucket use gloves and glasses and peal them off with tweezers...i did it on a 100 pink and golds that were going insane....none came back...

 

[A. grandis]

He said already that the rock can't be removed...

So...

I would just forget the putty (or underwater epoxy). It's a mess and you'll waste your money with it.
Palythoa could release lots of mucus too, making it even harder to do that.
It doesn't work 100% anyway.

Simply use a sharp fine knife and syphon the water close to the polyps while cutting them off the rock.
You can do that while doing your partial water changes and make it part of the maintenance until you take them all out.
If you're careful you'll be able to save most of them and put them on plugs, to be exchanged on your LFS.

Any pictures?

…and be happy.
Don't forget to se gloves and be very careful, so you don't cut yourself.
Make sure the skimmer is good!!
Not a big deal.

Grandis.