Removing Huge Piece Of Fake Coral

StephLionfish · 11/23/2011, 03:12 PM

Just as the title says, I'd like to remove a large piece of fake coral from my tank. The tank it's in is 3 years old, (as is the fake coral) and I don't know if it would cycle the tank... I don't have really any live rock at all. Just a couple of pieces and then a 2-3" sand bed and macroalgae.
I don't have a picture, yet. But, anyone know if I can remove it?

kfisc · 11/23/2011, 03:28 PM

Well, sure, depending- are there any actual corals attached to it? You'd obvioously need to consider fragging them carefully. If it's covered with macroalgae, breaking it can cause a discharge that in high enough amounts could foul the tank.

If the fake coral is porous and has become a part of your bio-filtration, it could be a problem.

Otherewise, you're ok.

StephLionfish · 11/23/2011, 03:38 PM

It's not very porous I don't think... There's no corals on it cause I have a CC Star, and the macro is all in the sand. I'll still get a pic up somehow to make sure...

Ron Reefman · 11/23/2011, 04:38 PM

The fake coral will probably (almost 100% sure) have good bacteria on it. So you will be lowering your tanks ability to process ammonia and nitrites. Your sand should hol much of the same bacteria so it kind of depends on how big the fake coral is, the bio-load in your tank, how big the tank is, if you have a sump/refugium and just how much LR you have. If the bio-load is light, you should be OK. I'd add some more rock (LR or base rock) and don't add any new fish for a few weeks or longer if you add base rock.

lordofthereef · 11/23/2011, 06:49 PM

What do you have in the tank? Do you have a sump with any sort of filtration? Skimmer? It's tough to give a good answer. All we really know is that you have a CC star, a bit of rock and sand, and a fake coral piece.

11/23/2011, 03:12 PM	#1
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	Removing Huge Piece Of Fake Coral Just as the title says, I'd like to remove a large piece of fake coral from my tank. The tank it's in is 3 years old, (as is the fake coral) and I don't know if it would cycle the tank... I don't have really any live rock at all. Just a couple of pieces and then a 2-3" sand bed and macroalgae. I don't have a picture, yet. But, anyone know if I can remove it? __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

11/23/2011, 03:38 PM	#3
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	It's not very porous I don't think... There's no corals on it cause I have a CC Star, and the macro is all in the sand. I'll still get a pic up somehow to make sure... __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

11/23/2011, 04:38 PM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The fake coral will probably (almost 100% sure) have good bacteria on it. So you will be lowering your tanks ability to process ammonia and nitrites. Your sand should hol much of the same bacteria so it kind of depends on how big the fake coral is, the bio-load in your tank, how big the tank is, if you have a sump/refugium and just how much LR you have. If the bio-load is light, you should be OK. I'd add some more rock (LR or base rock) and don't add any new fish for a few weeks or longer if you add base rock. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/23/2011, 06:49 PM	#5
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	What do you have in the tank? Do you have a sump with any sort of filtration? Skimmer? It's tough to give a good answer. All we really know is that you have a CC star, a bit of rock and sand, and a fake coral piece. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

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11/23/2011, 03:28 PM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	Well, sure, depending- are there any actual corals attached to it? You'd obvioously need to consider fragging them carefully. If it's covered with macroalgae, breaking it can cause a discharge that in high enough amounts could foul the tank. If the fake coral is porous and has become a part of your bio-filtration, it could be a problem. Otherewise, you're ok.