Best way to remove Anthelia ?

[Alexxn]

Is there a best way to do this ? Unfortunately I can't take out the rock that it's on....the stalks are pretty long, and I can see where they attach to the rock...I was thinking of a plastic pick or something....can't pull it off cause it's pretty slippery.....any thoughts ???

[amcarrig]

Man, I hate that stuff. Had it take over my 90 gallon tank before a loose cord in my skimmer's powerhead zapped all the inverts in the tank. What I used to do before the "disaster" was cut as many stalks off as I could (make sure you don't let them float off as they will recolonize wherever they land). Then smeared kalk paste on the remaining "mat."

[navajo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10852567#post10852567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alexxn
Is there a best way to do this ? Unfortunately I can't take out the rock that it's on....the stalks are pretty long, and I can see where they attach to the rock...I was thinking of a plastic pick or something....can't pull it off cause it's pretty slippery.....any thoughts ???

Yeah I HATE that stuff too!

About 2 or 3 times a year I have to thin mine out too. I just get a few wooden toothpicks. Take one and slip it under the bottom of the mat and start peeling. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES! This stuff STINKS and you'll be smelling it on your hands for a week! HAHAHA

Good luck!

[nrehman]

It appears I better get the gloves and toothpicks too. Thanks for your replies.

Is there any effect from smearing a moderate amount of kalk paste on rocks when removing the anthelia? I plan on doing a 2x3 section.

Also, could you please recomend the best consistency for the kalk paste? Toothpaste consistency?

Thanks.

[ahullsb]

Get it all if you can..... O.K I'll show you the nightmare that my anthelia, kenya tree, and xexia caused. I pulled a lot of it and finally traded in any rock with soft coral on it to start over! I don't know why I let this happen...The anthelia in the upper right spread to the rocks underneath it, as well is the large one the center.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/ahullsb/aquarium/DSC_0077.jpg

[Leeroy]

Alexxn, I found the base of the anthelia, to be fairly strong and rubbery.
I gently grabbed the edge of it with tweezers and slowly peeled it off the rock, and was surprised as to how well it came off the rock.

Good luck

[marduc]

I second the tweezer approach, I have a 7" long pair of tweezers that curve on the end, (think I got them from marine depot), and use them to pluck the anthelia.

Try to get as much of the flesh off as possible, perhaps even sealing the area with superglue after removal to prevent it from growing back. I had at one time thought I had completely eradicated this stuff from my tank, I went at least three months without seeing a trace of it anywhere, then one day I see a new stalk of it peeking up from a hole in the rocks, which over time regrew into a lush anthelia jungle again. I have now given up on its eradication and just keep it pruned and under control. And yes this stuff REEKS!! wear those gloves, maybe get some nose plugs :D

[nrehman]

ahullsb...look at all that beautiful xenia and anthelia! :-)