How to remove SPS colonies

[wmatt140]

I've got a PC Rainbow and Purple Stylo colony I want to sell locally to make more room. The stylo I think I can cut through the base. The PC I think I may need to cut off that piece of live rock it is on? Can I use a sawzall if I take the rock out of the tank? Type of blade?

I don't want to sell with the rock because both are on large rocks with other corals.

Thanks,

 

[KrisReef]

Bone cutters.
Pruning sheers
Even a pair of pliers can snap off a coral colony without moving the live rock

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

If you want to keep the entire colony intact, I would probably use a Sawz-All or multi-tool to cut the rock. Type of blade doesn’t matter…it’s pretty soft.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

how long has that Stylo been growing to become that large? that's huge.

what about using an oscillating tool/multi tool with a masonry cutting blade?

 

[BryanM]

I 2nd/3rd the multitool option. I think that would be easier and better than a sawzall.

 

[Science/G]

Grinder with a concrete cutting blade. Messy but effective

 

[Pistondog]

Dremel with diamond blades would get thru branches for frags.
I did this to a stylo that size.

 

[wmatt140]

Bone cutters.
Pruning sheers
Even a pair of pliers can snap off a coral colony without moving the live rock

Bone cutters are a no go on the stylo. When I got a frag of this, the owner used a hammer and chisel to get me a piece. I was afraid he was going to blow out his tank. I had to trim it once because it was about to touch the front glass. It took me close to an hour with a hacksaw blade and bone cutters.

I think I've had both colonies about 4 years.

Sounds like I need to get a multi tool. Is a Dremel big enough?

 

[Pistondog]

Bone cutters are a no go on the stylo. When I got a frag of this, the owner used a hammer and chisel to get me a piece. I was afraid he was going to blow out his tank. I had to trim it once because it was about to touch the front glass. It took me close to an hour with a hacksaw blade and bone cutters.

I think I've had both colonies about 4 years.

Sounds like I need to get a multi tool. Is a Dremel big enough?

The dremel would not cut thru the base/trunk, but will trim the thin branches if you are fragging the colony.

 

[Shawn D]

I just did the same thing. Grinder with a cheap tile blade was super easy and worked the best for me. Dremel had a hard time getting the right angle. Coral saw had the same problem. Multi tool would probably work pretty well also. It cuts super easy. Much easier than I would have though. Sawzall would prob work also but less control I would think. GL