Removing Dead or Dying SPS Colonies

[ganzy77]

I've been having some bad times. Swinging alk and calc levels (now corrected I hope). Tank has always had algae issues (trying once again to correct it now -- this time with 3 day blackout and addition of UV sterilizer. Have already tried ATS, chemiclean, AFM, GFO, vinegar dosing yadda, yadda, but it always comes back.

Tank is loaded with SPS and LPS and abut 90% of the coral mass has not been affected.

So I now have three or four dead or dying SPS colonies to remove from tank: pink birdsnest, thick purple acropora, etc. Each is collecting brown/cyano/etc. algae at an alarming rate. What's the best way to get this out? Snip each branch while holding it with a tweezer, which of course would take forever and a day. Smash it with a hammer and try to remove pieces during water changes? Siphon out algae from the dead coral and leave it in place? (I've been trying the final option and it ain't working.) Give up, tear tank down, and try it again?

Thanks

 

[TUSI]

Can you use a coral clipper and clip the colony

 

[Squamosa]

Siphon cyano out and clip away dead/dying branches!

 

[ganzy77]

Thanks! These are colonies growing on the rocks. They average about 5" x 5" x 5". So I guess I just get the clippers out and get to work.

 

[-Logzor]

Is it feasible to remove all the algae just from trimming the colony? Be sure to get all of the affected areas or else the algae will continue to grow and kill healthy tissue.