Zissou
What about my dynamite?
I have this medium rock, about 9lbs, that takes up about about a quarter of my 30g tank's footprint. It is absolutely covered in halimeda, which have grown to reach the top of the tank; it's cutting light and flow by blocking my powerhead and lights on that side, and it's catching debris in its stems. It's a cluster larger than a basketball.
I've already cut it down to the rock a few times before, but it grows so long and so fast it's a real pain to keep up with. I don't even want to know how much calcium it's stealing from the rest of the tank but it's just exploding, literally inches per day.
Anyway, since it's currently isolated to one rock, I'm thinking of taking it out and letting it all die off, by shoving it in a dark bucket. I'm not terribly concerned about the rock dying off, there's little on it but coralline, since the halimeda has taken it over. What I am concerned about is pulling the rock off the sand and causing a spike or cycle, since it's a small tank. I plan to do some decent water changes before, (in prep) and after, to negate any potential consequences. I'd keep it for a refugium if it didn't suck on calcium. Maybe I can start a planted tank with it.
Any other suggestions?
I've already cut it down to the rock a few times before, but it grows so long and so fast it's a real pain to keep up with. I don't even want to know how much calcium it's stealing from the rest of the tank but it's just exploding, literally inches per day.
Anyway, since it's currently isolated to one rock, I'm thinking of taking it out and letting it all die off, by shoving it in a dark bucket. I'm not terribly concerned about the rock dying off, there's little on it but coralline, since the halimeda has taken it over. What I am concerned about is pulling the rock off the sand and causing a spike or cycle, since it's a small tank. I plan to do some decent water changes before, (in prep) and after, to negate any potential consequences. I'd keep it for a refugium if it didn't suck on calcium. Maybe I can start a planted tank with it.
Any other suggestions?