[tcook1034]

I purchased a Small Bulb Anemone a few years ago. Kids & I thought it was great when it split to make another. Long story short, I now have 8 of these darn things in the tank.

The only one that stays still is the original parent. Her kids & grand children run arount the tank like little hoodlums destroying the corals & polyps.

Due to reef damage, I want to start removing these things(LFS I am sure would be happy to get them, since some of them are over 1' wide when fully open). If I do not remove them, I think it will look like I have a tank full of jello.

Unfortunatly, they are all tied deep into the reef (3 rocks in ) and me attempting to remove them will cause an avalanche.

These things are like aiptasia to me, but I would hate to euthanize them.

So Questions are:
1. suggestions of how to safely remove them from tank (without avalanche)
2. How to euthanize them . Sorry, this is not my 1st choice, but what do I do?

[zhenya]

Yeah, they can be quite a nuisance. I always try recommending keeping them in a separate, dedicated tanks.
Anyways, I always remove them by sliding a tip of my fingernail under its foot and slowly prying it off the rock or glass. People report success by directing a power head at the foot( not too close to damge it, please be careful ding it) and anemones usually release and try moving away.
My [reffered method is the fingernail, though. When it releases, try supporting it with both hands and not allowing it to hang when taking out of the water. As you know, they are nothing but big bags full of water, so try to allow them time to deflate before removing them from the tank.

Good luck!

[tcook1034]

Thank you, but unfortunatly the feet of the anemome(s) are within the reef (foot is in the middle of the reef)

When they move, they disapear for a day, then pop out & destroy something else.

I have no way to get to the foot.... ARGH

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by tcook1034

Thank you, but unfortunatly the feet of the anemome(s) are within the reef (foot is in the middle of the reef)

When they move, they disapear for a day, then pop out & destroy something else.

I have no way to get to the foot.... ARGH

Well, the only other way to do it properly would be to remove some of the rock, if possible, to get to the point of attachment. Unfortunately most of the time it is not easily done, I realize that, but see what you can do to get to the anemone safely.

[tcook1034]

Originally Posted by zhenya

Well, the only other way to do it properly would be to remove some of the rock, if possible, to get to the point of attachment. Unfortunately most of the time it is not easily done, I realize that, but see what you can do to get to the anemone safely.

Oh I wish I had a camera of this mess to show you this..... This is a 250G reef...

I think if I start moving rocks around, I will cause more damage to the reef then the hoodlums.

[wozza]

Go on gene show him your 100G nem tank!!!

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by wozza

Go on gene show him your 100G nem tank!!!

That is not the purpose of this thread, James.

I learned my lesson well when I lost 110g reef ful of corals to the E.quads, so I can understand what tcook must feel...

I must add that if you feel that if you leave them alone they won't be cloning anymore you are mistaken. They will continue on and on... The best way to deal with it is to try and remove all of them at once. Yes, it may be a struggle but you will be better off in the long run. Removing rocks may be a disturbance to the reef but if you do it right it may be very minimal. All you need is a good plan, some large containers and plenty of fresh sea water mixed and ready to go. Corals can be reattached later on without much of a problem to the health of the coral, but if you let it be then they can get stung and die. Just my opinion, of course, but if you don;t want those anemones to kill off your reef you may have no choice but to act now.

[wozza]

That is not the purpose of this thread, James.

i know.....just like seein' pics of it

[tcook1034]

Thanks-
Now I guess I know what I am doing tomorrow - REBUILDING A REEF! Oh this just sounds like a riot... NOT!