Brian Ward March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 I have some hairy mushrooms at the bottom of my tank that are multiplying and starting to take over. I'd like to reclaim this space for some nicer corals. I went after one with a razor blade last night thinking I could cut it away at the attachment point, but that point was much wider than I thought (a few inches across) and covered lots of bumps across the rock. I ended up hacking the mushroom to bits. Is there a better way to go about this? I'm fine with just killing them as well, but I wouldn't mind saving them for someone that wants them. Any ideas? Practical experience preferred, but will take supposition as well.
Sugar Magnolia March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 I injected mine which caused them to shrivel up. I smeared them with kalk paste over the course of a few days until they finally died off. Cutting them off the rocks leaves flesh behind which will regrow new shrooms.
CHUBAKAH March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 inject kalk into the mouths and they will die. Brian, I think the way you are going about it is fine, but perhaps try target feeding them a little food so they will close up per say giving you a better shot at removing them complete.
Brian Ward March 16, 2009 Author March 16, 2009 I've gotta mix up some kalk paste for some aiptasias anyway, so I'll shoot some on the mushrooms as well - at least the ones I need to die. If anyone knows how I can remove them to give to someone else, please chime in.
gsedlack March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 I pulled the rocks out of the tank then used a screwdriver and hammer. Instant frags.
FishyTim March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 how big is the rock that they are on? You could sell it on here....or trade someone for a clean rock... I pulled the rocks out of the tank then used a screwdriver and hammer. Instant frags.
Amuze March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 Put a powerhead directly in front of them and blast them with flow. They'll move off the rock and onto the sand bed. Collect and sell them or give them away.
extreme_tooth_decay March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 I've found they usually let go if i slowly work my finger under them. If I cant get my finger under them, I've used a toothpick. Slowly.
davelin315 March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 I would inject them. However, I have found that injecting aiptasia with 2 part solutions works really well (I used B-Ionic) as it disrupts their internal pH drastically and then causes them to dissolve so I assume that this will work with mushrooms as well. If you cut them up, they'll just regrow. You could also try and get something that will eat them, but this will take time. I think that a chocolate chip star would do the trick, but it would also eat everything else in your tank as well...
Brian Ward March 16, 2009 Author March 16, 2009 I would inject them. However, I have found that injecting aiptasia with 2 part solutions works really well (I used B-Ionic) as it disrupts their internal pH drastically and then causes them to dissolve so I assume that this will work with mushrooms as well. If you cut them up, they'll just regrow. You could also try and get something that will eat them, but this will take time. I think that a chocolate chip star would do the trick, but it would also eat everything else in your tank as well... inject with both parts of the 2-part? or only alk to screw up the pH?
davelin315 March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 Sorry, I injected only the alk portion. You could also inject the calcium, too, as that will still disrupt them. Heck, even RO water will disrupt them, but the more you disrupt the better, which is why I started to inject the alk. If you really wanted to mess them up, inject with the effluent from a kalk or calcium reactor. That will get them messed up.
NightOwl March 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 Brian, I have found a nice solution of kalk paste works on the mushrooms. Make sure to try to inject in the mouth and also cover the the mushroom itself. It will shrivel up. the next day I pull shriveled up mushroom off the rock with my forceps if it tears I cover the remaining stem with more kalk paste. If you are going to be using a strong solution be sure to cut off all pumps! You don't want it touching anything you want to keep. Henry
Grav March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 Do not remove, kalk, hack or inject. Remove the whole rock. Trade for new live rock or dry / dead rock. I'll take it, several newbies would and I bet most LFSs would make that trade.
Sikryd March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 Do not remove, kalk, hack or inject. Remove the whole rock. Trade for new live rock or dry / dead rock. I'll take it, several newbies would and I bet most LFSs would make that trade. +1 I trashed some Kenya trees because I didn't like them. Our "trash" is another persons treasure and takes less out of the ocean. It also takes a lighter load off of someones wallet to allow them to enjoy this great hobby even more.
FishyTim March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 +1 I trashed some Kenya trees because I didn't like them. Our "trash" is another persons treasure and takes less out of the ocean. It also takes a lighter load off of someones wallet to allow them to enjoy this great hobby even more.
lanman March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 I injected mine which caused them to shrivel up. I smeared them with kalk paste over the course of a few days until they finally died off. Cutting them off the rocks leaves flesh behind which will regrow new shrooms. Injected mine two days ago... doesn't look happy - but certainly isn't dead. Will cut off water flow for a while, and take more drastic action with kalk. In the past, I have taken wire cutters to the rocks under them; but that is REALLY hard work if you can't get the rock out of the tank. Someone invent me an underwater dremel tool!!! bob
dzekunoi March 19, 2009 March 19, 2009 (edited) I cut mushrooms from rock - usually it's messy and much stays behind. Cut out goes to my refugium for healing (I give them away later). Then I put some calk paste on the leftovers on the rock. Works like a charm! Edited March 19, 2009 by dzekunoi
lanman March 20, 2009 March 20, 2009 Do not remove, kalk, hack or inject. Remove the whole rock. Trade for new live rock or dry / dead rock. I'll take it, several newbies would and I bet most LFSs would make that trade. I try to save them; but the rock I'm working on now can't be removed without destroying stuff. I am getting rid of them because they are zapping a coral encrusted onto the same rock that I like. I'll try the Inna method... slice them off, then kalk the leftovers... I can put the mushrooms in my rock-cooking tank. bob
hbh March 22, 2009 March 22, 2009 I'd take some in a heartbeat! Seems like I'm back to only being able to grow them since my DD crashed my tank. LMK & TIA, Holly
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