how do you get rid of a large patch of zoa's?

[saltyfins]

I have a large patch of invasive zoa's that also share the rock they're on, with 2 acro's. What's the best way to get rid of them? I do not want to get rid of the rock. it's in a 300 gallon tank, and I am short... any advice would be great.
TIA

 

[Lavey29]

Short of removing the rock I'm not sure but I have similar problems. I just put rock rubble down in some area with aggressive corals like favia to beat back the zoas in that zone also used cyphastrea.

 

[JNalley]

buy a metal straw, stainless steel smoothie straw, they're like 1/3 of an inch wide typically, attach it to a water change hose, put on a respirator, create the siphon like you're doing a water change, stab and scrape the zoa's and suck them up into the straw...

 

[saltyfins]

Short of removing the rock I'm not sure but I have similar problems. I just put rock rubble down in some area with aggressive corals like favia to beat back the zoas in that zone also used cyphastrea.

not a bad idea. I also have heard people say to make a kalk slurry, shut off pumps then put on them...but I'm a bit worried to do this, as I dont know how that would affect chemistry

 

[saltyfins]

buy a metal straw, stainless steel smoothie straw, they're like 1/3 of an inch wide typically, attach it to a water change hose, put on a respirator, create the siphon like you're doing a water change, stab and scrape the zoa's and suck them up into the straw...

hmmmm. well, I have parrots etc..so Idk if that's a good idea. though they may be ok if I put them outside. I really may just have to frag my acro's, but I seriously do not want to do that, as they're large and encrusted.

 

[Lavey29]

not a bad idea. I also have heard people say to make a kalk slurry, shut off pumps then put on them...but I'm a bit worried to do this, as I dont know how that would affect chemistry

You can but it's hard to dose a complete patch. Just find some encrusting type corals you like and create breaks in the growth path. You can see mine here.

 

[JNalley]

hmmmm. well, I have parrots etc..so Idk if that's a good idea. though they may be ok if I put them outside. I really may just have to frag my acro's, but I seriously do not want to do that, as they're large and encrusted.

1) Palytoxin in Zoa's is a bit more rare than people are led to believe typically
2) The risk comes from any bubbles that may rise and pop in your face while doing this releasing it close to your face and you breathing it in, hence the respirator
3) If the birds are 3-4 feet away or more, I wouldn't be too concerned with it...

 

[saltyfins]

You can but it's hard to dose a complete patch. Just find some encrusting type corals you like and create breaks in the growth path. You can see mine here.

those are the same one's I'm battling. the pink'ish ones. uhg. never again

 

[saltyfins]

1) Palytoxin in Zoa's is a bit more rare than people are led to believe typically
2) The risk comes from any bubbles that may rise and pop in your face while doing this releasing it close to your face and you breathing it in, hence the respirator
3) If the birds are 3-4 feet away or more, I wouldn't be too concerned with it...

do you know of another way, that would be easier/safer? That's going to be an all day job....which honestly...yuk. and I know me and syphoning lol

 

[JNalley]

do you know of another way, that would be easier/safer? That's going to be an all day job....which honestly...yuk. and I know me and syphoning lol

you could try and do the same method with a small pump and just hope they don't clog the impeller while being sucked through... But that's the way I've always removed invasive soft corals (Zoa's, Xenia, GSP, etc).


I know that injecting Aiptasia with lemon juice works to kill them, not sure about zoa's though, never tried it, but it can't hurt to try... if you do and it works, report back here, it would be interesting to know...

 

[vetteguy53081]

do you know of another way, that would be easier/safer? That's going to be an all day job....which honestly...yuk. and I know me and syphoning lol

Ive used a pipette and applied kalkwasser paste over the unwanted ones and they shriveled to nothing. Best done with flow cut off for a few minutes

 

[saltyfins]

you could try and do the same method with a small pump and just hope they don't clog the impeller while being sucked through... But that's the way I've always removed invasive soft corals (Zoa's, Xenia, GSP, etc).


I know that injecting Aiptasia with lemon juice works to kill them, not sure about zoa's though, never tried it, but it can't hurt to try... if you do and it works, report back here, it would be interesting to know...

yeah... that's also an idea.

 

[saltyfins]

Ive used a pipette and applied kalkwasser paste over the unwanted ones and they shriveled to nothing. Best done with flow cut off for a few minutes

ok, my next question...how do you handle the "yuck" from this, in the tank? Carbon? or......?

 

[vetteguy53081]

ok, my next question...how do you handle the "yuck" from this, in the tank? Carbon? or......?

Yes carbon which reduces toxins and the paste will dissipate. Just keep it limited to avoid a spike in alk

 

[saltyfins]

Yes carbon which reduces toxins and the paste will dissipate. Just keep it limited to avoid a spike in alk

sounds good. so make it a thick type paste? and, how long would I let it set?

 

[mrpontiac80]

You can but it's hard to dose a complete patch. Just find some encrusting type corals you like and create breaks in the growth path. You can see mine here.

Oh how I love zoas but hate those pinkish ones!! Nirvana and Mohawks are weeds in my tank. They have nearly smothered out my favorites. After 2+ years, one of the two just started melting away a few days ago. I don’t know why but it’s not affecting any of the others… I’m not complaining

 

[saltyfins]

Oh how I love zoas but hate those pinkish ones!! Nirvana and Mohawks are weeds in my tank. They have nearly smothered out my favorites. After 2+ years, one of the two just started melting away a few days ago. I don’t know why but it’s not affecting any of the others… I’m not complaining

Lucky!!!! Mine are on steroids! uhg. so frustrating

 

[mrpontiac80]

Lucky!!!! Mine are on steroids! uhg. so frustrating

Yep I call it luck also. Before and after some unknown reason..

And …..

 

[saltyfins]

Yep I call it luck also. Before and after some unknown reason..

And …..

those look pretty, in your tank! would you like more???

 

[mrpontiac80]

those look pretty, in your tank! would you like more???