Do we just let nature take it's course?

[Sophie"s mom]

So as title implies, I have a piece of live rock that has a sector nine favia growing very nicely on it. Has been for almost 2 years now. But I have an OVERABUNDANCE of RBTA's in the same area. I have tried getting rid of some to save the favia. But they are now very entrenched in the rockwork. so, in my mind, my choices are either get rid of the entire rock to a LFS, or just let nature take its course and what happens happens. I do not want to try to get the RBTA's off, that would be an insane task. While I know taking the entire rock to a LFS would just be transfering the problem to someone else, I am good with that. What say the good folks here?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

personally I often let nature take its course, I'm always very curious to see what will happen. With that said, I've lost a lot of prize corals to warfare, some that I've regretted afterwards. But still, I feel I learn something. Good luck with your choice

 

[D.WhiteShark]

If a LFS is willing to take it, you can certainly go that route as they should know what they are getting into. Some people in the hobby like that kind of natural life. just like some people like bristle worms or aptasia. If you are looking to save the Favia, could you frag a piece, or most of it off and transfer it to a different rock in your tank?

 

[Sophie"s mom]

personally I often let nature take its course, I'm always very curious to see what will happen. With that said, I've lost a lot of prize corals to warfare, some that I've regretted afterwards. But still, I feel I learn something. Good luck with your choice

Thank you! I really like the favia, and it was one of my first corals, but I really am tempted to just let things be.

 

[TX_REEF]

If it were me, I'd remove the rock to remove the nems. Their grip loosens signficantly and quickly when out of water, and you can use a round-tipped plastic instrument to coax them to fall off. You could also pry/chisel off the favia, and then move the nem rock into a new tank or new area of the tank.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree with Mojo. I just let my tank do its thing with as little intervention as possible.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

If a LFS is willing to take it, you can certainly go that route as they should know what they are getting into. Some people in the hobby like that kind of natural life. just like some people like bristle worms or aptasia. If you are looking to save the Favia, could you frag a piece, or most of it off and transfer it to a different rock in your tank?

OHHH, I LIKE this idea! IT honestly hadn't occurred to me to try and break the rock up a bit.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I agree with Mojo. I just let my tank do its thing with as little intervention as possible.

Yeah, I am inclined to let things just happen. But another here just pointed out the possibility of breaking the rock up a bit, and I really like the idea.

 

[Lavey29]

Yeah, I am inclined to let things just happen. But another here just pointed out the possibility of breaking the rock up a bit, and I really like the idea.

But what will prevent the nems from taking over again. You basically are trying to delay mother nature but she won't give up.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

But what will prevent the nems from taking over again. You basically are trying to delay mother nature but she won't give up.

YEP! But.... the nems seem to totally prefer one side of my tank. SO my thinking is maybe break the rock, and put the piece with the favia on the other side of the tank.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

But what will prevent the nems from taking over again. You basically are trying to delay mother nature but she won't give up.

YEP! But.... the nems seem to totally prefer one side of my tank. SO my thinking is maybe break the rock, and put the piece with the favia on the other side of the tank.

 

[PPBlimpy]

let it roll. My tank had 50+ BTA and never really had an issue with other corals. Had 2 that lived in the branches of my big hammer colony for a couple months. everything seemed to get along. or maybe i was just blind to it.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

let it roll. My tank had 50+ BTA and never really had an issue with other corals. Had 2 that lived in the branches of my big hammer colony for a couple months. everything seemed to get along. or maybe i was just blind to it.

I understand completely. Here is a photo from a couple months ago. The favia is now totally surrounded my RBTA's. When they fully extend during the day, the poor favia is just getting stung from all sides.

 

[PPBlimpy]

oh dang, yes definitely surrounded. It is hard to remove Bta. Could you maybe point a power head at the favia and maybe persuade them to back off. I believe the favia can handle more direct flow and the nems may back off.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

oh dang, yes definitely surrounded. It is hard to remove Bta. Could you maybe point a power head at the favia and maybe persuade them to back off. I believe the favia can handle more direct flow and the nems may back off.

I like this idea. The only possible downside would be if that makes the nems move to the other side completely. Right now I am good with them staying on one side. IT's a lot to think about. Thank you for the input.

 

[KrisReef]

So as title implies, I have a piece of live rock that has a sector nine favia growing very nicely on it. Has been for almost 2 years now. But I have an OVERABUNDANCE of RBTA's in the same area. I have tried getting rid of some to save the favia. But they are now very entrenched in the rockwork. so, in my mind, my choices are either get rid of the entire rock to a LFS, or just let nature take its course and what happens happens. I do not want to try to get the RBTA's off, that would be an insane task. While I know taking the entire rock to a LFS would just be transfering the problem to someone else, I am good with that. What say the good folks here?

Send me your rock, I’m procrastinating on setting up an anemone grow out tank and I need motivation

 

[BryanM]

I try to let the tank do its own thing, but I surely strategically place things to avoid problems.