How would you get these palys off the wall?

[JoJosReef]

Back wall of my IM Nuvo 40L (36" length) is about 25% covered with green palys. I'm about to do a tank transfer and just wondering what the best plan of attack with these palys is. NOTE: the back wall is not glass, it is a black plastic surface, so a razor is not going to work.

When I do the tank transfer, I'm moving everything out of the tank except the sand bed and these palys. Then I'm thinking maybe just glove up to the elbows, get an windshield ice scraper and have at it. I don't want to think of what kind of palytoxin levels these guys are going to be jetting out--at least they'll be submerged.

Then, if I get the whole sheet of palys off the wall, next step is going to be getting them ONTO the back wall of my new tank (I like them back there)! But, that is a bonus thread for another day...

 

[timmyrules]

Following! I have a similar situation…but mine are on a rock. Will the paly toxin released in the water effect the rest of the corals?

 

[timmyrules]

Oh! And btw @JoJosReef …I think I’ve told you this before, but you have a BEAUTIFUL tank!!!!

 

[polyppal]

They grow as a pretty tough mat, just get between it and the plastic with a knife and it should peel up pretty easy, you dont need to scrape it hard or use a lot of force. I prefer disposable scalpels you can get on amazon. USE GLOVES and make sure you dont rub face/eyes/etc in the process!

You could even just dab some glue on the back of the mats you pull out and reattach it to your new tank wall if youd like

 

[Glenner’sreef]

If you’re not too attached to your old tank. Consider cutting that 25% off the back wall that houses the palys and silicone it to the inside back wall of your new tank. They’ll grow over the cut and you’ll never know the difference. Let’s see?

Selling your old tank after scraping $225
Palytoxin poisoning hospitalization $1,500
Good luck. Be careful.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

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Unger® Heavy Duty Floor Scraper - 8

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[JoJosReef]

They grow as a pretty tough mat, just get between it and the plastic with a knife and it should peel up pretty easy, you dont need to scrape it hard or use a lot of force. I prefer disposable scalpels you can get on amazon. USE GLOVES and make sure you dont rub face/eyes/etc in the process!

You could even just dab some glue on the back of the mats you pull out and reattach it to your new tank wall if youd like

Only problem with this is how easily a knife/razor catches on the plastic. That's why I was thinking something like a new ice scraper might work. I'll probably try gluing either the whole mat on OR cut it into smaller mats and disperse them along the larger (48") back wall to let them grow in faster.

 

[JoJosReef]

Super More Anti-Fog Protective Safety Goggles Clear Lens Wide-Vision Adjustable Chemical Splash Eye Protection Soft Lightweight Eyewear https://a.co/d/3wrpIoz

Honeywell FULL FACE RESPIRATOR MEDIUM/LARGE | Denios

Honeywell FULL FACE RESPIRATOR MEDIUM/LARGE - ✓ Market leader in hazardous storage ✓ Order online now!

www.denios-us.com

Organic Vapor Respirator

With dust, fumes, vapors and other air borne contaminates are a common place in any workshop, it's important to keep yourself protected. Our organic vapor respirator is just the tool for the job, with its comfortable design only matched by the outstanding protection it provides. FEATURES...

www.fibreglast.com

Showa® Atlas® 772 Chemical Resistant Nitrile Gloves - XL S-21080-X - Uline

Full arm protection for tank cleaning and chemical spraying. Cotton-lined with elastic band. Rough-finish grip. Oil and puncture resistant. ULINE offers over 42,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping supplies.

www.uline.com

Unger® Heavy Duty Floor Scraper - 8

Remove gum, tape and wax buildup from floors, baseboards and sidewalks. 8" wide scraper, 60" long steel handle. Replacement Blades available.ULINE offers over 42,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping supplies.

www.uline.com

Nice links! Im thinking just a regular respirator, lab goggles and elbow length gloves--tank is only 13" tall, and the palys probably cover 8-9" height.

 

[polyppal]

Only problem with this is how easily a knife/razor catches on the plastic. That's why I was thinking something like a new ice scraper might work. I'll probably try gluing either the whole mat on OR cut it into smaller mats and disperse them along the larger (48") back wall to let them grow in faster.

if the plastic is that soft then just use a dull knife. A butterknife would prob work good if youre willing to sacrifice it

or a paint scraper from HD

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Nice links! Im thinking just a regular respirator, lab goggles and elbow length gloves--tank is only 13" tall, and the palys probably cover 8-9" height.

LOL!
I'm just being my regular smart butt self. But the risk is real when dealing with large numbers of them and cutting them away

 

[JoJosReef]

if the plastic is that soft then just use a dull knife. A butterknife would prob work good if youre willing to sacrifice it

or a paint scraper from HD

Paint scraper is an even better idea than the ice scraper. No ice in SoCal ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[JoJosReef]

LOL!
I'm just being my regular smart butt self. But the risk is real when dealing with large numbers of them and cutting them away

I know! Over the past few months I've been looking back (tank sits behind my desk) eyeing that back wall as the palys grow more and more thinking "that's a lot of palytoxin just sitting in reserve there on the back wall". If they had a mind to (or a mind at all), they could decimate the entire tank.

 

[Lavey29]

Green palys are ones that I would cautious with handling due to possible toxin.