Caught the Damsels! B4 & After pics Was: Need some advice, PDQ
 

This afternoon, I'm going to remove the liverock from my display to catch the 3x Fourline Damsels (Humbugs) who have gotten totally out of control.

What I need to know is how to protect the soft corals until I can get them back in the tank. They're all small and connected to the liverock.

I've got:
Ricordea, yuma & hairy mushrooms
Xenia, reg & pulsing
Zoa colony
Small Polyps
Devil's Hand

Do I need to make sure they're submerged all the time? How long can they be in the air?

I would keep them submerged, put a heater and a power head in to keep them happy. They can handle that for a while.

+1. Don't leave them out in the air, they'll slime up and foul the water.

All those corals will survive out of water for at least a few hours provided they don't dry out. I see no problem in keeping them out of water for the amount of time it will take to catch one fish. I'd be more careful with the rock if it's heavily populated with sponges. Sponges can be easily damaged with nothing more than being lifted out of the water. If you have enough sponges die off you could end up with a tank crash.

Confirms what I thought, thanks!

I've got my water change rubbermaid tub with heater & powerhead half full of water right now. Just waiting for it to raise a couple more degrees before I start the operation.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Vic

No sponges, just softies & inverts in/on the rock. I'll toss all of it in the rubbermaid and move fast - Just depends on how "cooperative" the Damsels will be ... :lol:

I've had my rock with coral mounted out for hours when I moved my tank. Wrapped the rock in paper towel soaked in tank water then into safeway bags, threw it in the trunk and drove 9 hours, didn't lose a thing. Corals a lot hardier then you'd think.

Caught the little buggers
 

Okay, all safe and sound!
Ended up taking all the rock out, but I managed to catch the 3 delinquents :biggrin:
They're now in a holding pattern in the Rubbermaid tub until they have a new home.
Here's some pic's of the B4 & after of the rock. I'm not sure if I like the new layout as much as the original, but I'm already seeing more relaxed fish.

Before:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...kattack043.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...kattack043.jpg

After:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...kattack065.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...attack2002.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...attack2006.jpg

wow I'm an idiot. I just went back and forth between the first 2 pics about 12 times. Couldn't see the changes. Then started wondering how you got everything in the same place.:doh:

didn't notice the fish till now

I've had days like that :lol:
The PJ Cardinals and my Coral Beauty are already spending more time in the open. Yippee :clap2: