How to limit unwanted coral growth

[Alexander1312]

The red patch is the base of a digitata which was there a few months ago.

Unfortunately, it kept growing under my watch, and I need to stop this now.

What is the recommended course of action? Glueing putty/epoxy over this?

 

[Patio]

Epoxy is easy and safe. Ugly for a couple weeks then quickly starts to look like your other rock. You could even add texture (roll a rock on it) to the top of the flap of epoxy to make it stand out less during the initial weeks.

 

[Adauqua]

You can just put a rock big enough to cover its surface and block light. It will die, no need to epoxy

 

[tribbitt]

Kalkwasser slurry does a great job, but only in small patches. Otherwise it can change parameters

 

[ReyDeFarts]

Kalkwasser slurry does a great job, but only in small patches. Otherwise it can change parameters

I've also been able to control GSP polyps using AiptasiaX which is basically a kalk slurry I believe. Definitely has a different chemical formulation, which is supposed to be less impacting on your parameters. You've got a large volume DT though, so I personally wouldn't worry much with either choice.

You're lucky because there's nothing else really around it. Start putting some slurry around the edges and work your way inwards. It should kill the polyps. If it was overhanging and had the potential to fall on other corals, then I would just use some epoxy.

 

[Coral reefer]

Flat head screw driver. Dig under from the sides

 

[Darkxerox]

Flat head screw driver. Dig under from the sides

Was going to suggest this too, it's the only way I can get rid of digis!

 

[psidriven]

if you have a meat coral, they kill sps good. I used to place meat coral near what I wanted eliminated.

 

[CaseyP]

Since it's a small patch, a stiff toothbrush to scrub off the living tissue then periodic jabs with something like a stick to kill off any traces still living.

btw is that a pink lemonade colony above it?

 

[Alexander1312]

Since it's a small patch, a stiff toothbrush to scrub off the living tissue then periodic jabs with something like a stick to kill off any traces still living.

btw is that a pink lemonade colony above it?

Thanks. One is a strawberry and the other one a blueberry. Not sure if they can have different names.

 

[Alexander1312]

if you have a meat coral, they kill sps good. I used to place meat coral near what I wanted eliminated.

What is a meat coral?

 

[MichaelB]

What is a meat coral?

Acanthophyllia, Cynarina, Indophyllia,

scolys,welso,trachys- don’t think are meat corals but some people i see have grouped them with the ones above, mostly lower light coral so i'm wondering if there is a specific type he was referring to, most couldn't handle sps levels of par

 

[tribbitt]

There are certain “lobos” that are very, very aggressive. maybe he meant those

 

[derek_SR]

The lobos in my tank absolutely ZAP anything they touch. Just pick up a cheap lobo and set it upside down on something for 20 minutes, save it for later.

 

[Patio]

Flat head screw driver. Dig under from the sides

it's the only way I can get rid of digis!

Tell me more. Does it come up in one piece or a few large pieces? I imagine small chips would fall and grow elsewhere but I have never tried this method.

I have used a screwdriver to stab a coral that encrusts too much to help get some branches going.

 

[Coral reefer]

Tell me more. Does it come up in one piece or a few large pieces? I imagine small chips would fall and grow elsewhere but I have never tried this method.

I have used a screwdriver to stab a coral that encrusts too much to help get some branches going.

Depends on the rock, thickness of the skeleton, etc
Usually I would expect small pieces. Typically I smash it up and siphon out what I can after

 

[MichaelB]

The lobos in my tank absolutely ZAP anything they touch. Just pick up a cheap lobo and set it upside down on something for 20 minutes, save it for later.

Mental note taken for a future situation.

Do they have sweepers or need closer contact like some mushrooms

 

[JVU]

Aiptasia-X kills any coral tissue you put it on, but only where you put it. Doesn’t change water parameters, and is easy to use. I suck it out after 1-2 hours of flow off/minimal.

 

[MichaelB]

Aiptasia-X kills any coral tissue you put it on, but only where you put it. Doesn’t change water parameters, and is easy to use. I suck it out after 1-2 hours of flow off/minimal.

sadly can attest to this, I screwed up and freaking killed my entire exosphere colony trying to get a aptasia in the center if them.

 

[yosemiteclimber]

Aiptasia-X kills any coral tissue you put it on, but only where you put it. Doesn’t change water parameters, and is easy to use. I suck it out after 1-2 hours of flow off/minimal.

Kalk paste as well, but you have to be conservative with either, never twice within a 24 hour period or you will definitely see some hefty swings (I do the same, target suction and a small 2-5% water change following the dose). Using both right now to reign in an aptasia outbreak, and some of the coral is paying the price because its nested close to or even within coral clusters, and I have to make an executive decision each time I push the plunger.

Finally found some (real) peppermint shrimp that arrived today, those and nudis have been hard to come by lately.