Tank Redo: removing rocks and corals

[NotReefsafe]

15 gallon tank, been running smoothly for 3 years. Alveopora, Torch,Duncan, Zoas, Xenia, GSP, pipe organ, all doing well and growing. I want to remove all of the GSP, Xenia, and Zoas. This will also remove all the rocks in the tank in the process. WHat should I do with these rocks, and will it affect my tank negatively? ANy other issues or tips to consider?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

#reefsquad

 

[Red_Beard]

You got pics?
Are you able to remove the other corals? If you can, you could put half of it at a time in a blackout system for a few weeks to kill the gsp(and anything else that is photosynthetic). Then you don't screw with the cycle too much. Other option is to use reef epoxy to smoother it, leave it on for a month or so, should peel off afterwards too. Short of replacing rocks and a minor re-cycle, those are the best options i can think of.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've done a complete rock swap before, I'm in the process of doing it again. I cycle new rocks in a separate tank or container, then I add a damsel and leave it alone for about 2 months. So right now, my new aquascape is in a plastic tote, I have cycled it over the past 3 weeks, today I will buy a damsel. I will plan my swap for early October.

When I'm ready, I will pull all the old rocks out of the tank and hold them in buckets with water, transfer the new rocks into the tank, and then I frag all corals and glue them onto the new rocks.

It takes time but its very easy and 100% safe and you have 100% pest free rocks.

 

[Lasse]

The problems I see here are the zoas. Before you chose a method to clean your rocks outside the tank - you must be sure that your zoas not content or release any palytoxin. To be sure I would do all treatment outside my house and maybe let them be outside in the sunlight for a week or two before I handle them. Many here will comment that zoas normally do not contain any palytoxin - but I'm not so sure about that

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'm 100% with Lasse on this one. Palytoxin can be very dangerous. I've been in the hobby 20+ years and I've been affected by palytoxins several times, most recently just last week! I was simply moving a few small colonies of zoas around in my tank. That evening my hands became stiff and tingled. my stomach was upset and my legs were restless. IMHO, the effects of palytoxin on an individual become more dramatic after each occurrence.

Working to clean zoas from rocks should be done at least in a well ventilated room, or even better, outdoors. I use latex gloves if I'm going to deal with zoas very much. I didn't last week because I felt I wasn't going to be touching them for very long. Big mistake on my part!

I'd suggest you have lots of extra saltwater ready if the rocks you will be working on will have other corals you want to keep. By removing all the rocks, you will be upsetting the nitrogen cycle as well. You fish will still poop and that will create ammonia and most of your good bacteria will be gone along with your rock. I'd suggest getting some new rocks and preparing them as you would for a new tank. That way you can use them to replace the rocks & bacteria when you pull the current rocks out of the tank.