removing corals from rock

[Lance]

I have some left over rock from a tank bust that I want to change out into my 55g. The only problem I have is I have some SPS on the rock that I want to keep as intact as possible. They have covered the plugs and started growing to the rock and I was wondering that the best way to remove them would be that would allow me to remount them on the new rock.

 

[joelq]

Is it encrusting or branching SPS?

If it's the branching type, you're probably better off just breaking the main trunk as close to the rock as possible. Use some needlenose pliers to get in close to the rock. You can break off the part of it that's encrusted over the rock, but it'll likely break in small pieces.

If it's the encrusting type, you'll have a tough time removing the parts that have already encrusted over the rocks. You mention they've encrusted over the plug, so one think you might be able to do (if you can still see the shape of the plug) is use a flathead screwdriver and pry the plug off the rock.

Hope that helps!

 

[Lance]

Most are branching but they are encrusting at the base onto the rock. My Green Slimmer has covered the plug and moved onto the rock. You might be right about just cutting the base off the rock and going from there.