Mold on coral?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:36 pm

I think I have mold on a large piece of coral. There is a spot close to where I put it in the sand that is greenish and black. I boiled it for over an hour, and tried to scrape it to no avail. I now have it in the oven. Anybody else ever experience anything like that? How did you solve it? Thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:00 pm

I just took the coral out of the oven. I think that was a mistake! I now have lightly toasted coral!!!!!! And, the greenish, black is still there! Help!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 7:13 pm

How about letting it soak in a light bleach solution? If that works just rinse it well and let it air dry for a few day giving the bleach plenty of time to dissipate.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:09 am

Bleach dissipates after 24 hours and it is safe to use things in the crabitat after that time frame. I have used bleach (5%) and water (95%) to clean choya wood that had mold on it. All you need to do is wait at least 24 hours and/or it is completely dry to put it back in. Shells that have been bleached and then boiled (just to be safe) should be fine if bleach was the only chemical used on them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 1:01 pm

Yes, this has happened to me before. I just boil, and then use a toothbrush. It sounds like the bleaching would work better. I will do that next time instead.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:23 am

Okay, I soaked it in bleach solution overnight (not mild, strong!) and it is still there! I am about ready to give up. I might just break that piece off. Any other suggestions? What about leaving it in a very dry part of the house, will the mold eventually die? It needs humidity, right?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 4:29 am

Try using some White Vinegar, on just that spot.Let it soak for a few minutes & use a toothbrush. Vinegar is powerful stuff and can eat up the Coral in no time flat. Spot clean Only. And of course Rinse, Rinse Rinse. Allow to air dry well..

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 5:14 am

If that doesn't work, how about pouring some salt and a squeeze of lemon over the spot and scrubbing or baking soda.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 2:26 am

I tried the vinegar - it didn't work. As a matter of fact, I think it made it worse. The brush I used to try to brush it with had blue bristles. Well, I think the vinegar took the blue from the bristles and rubbed it into the coral! Yuck. So, now it looks worse than it did before. I did manage to scrape some of it off, though, while the vinegar was on there with a butter knife. I am gonna try lemon and/or baking soda tonight. What about Instant Ocean? Coral comes from the ocean - do you think the salt water would allow mold to grow? Maybe I should soak it in that?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 3:55 pm

Denise,I would think that the vinegar would work....Coral is composed of calcium carbonate....vinegar (acetic acid) when combined with calcium carbonate produces calcium acetate and carbonic acid, which then decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. In other words disovlving the coral. Hopefully my chemistry it correct here...LOL.I don't think the mold is still alive surely bleach, vinegar, and "toasting" killed the mold! I am sure the mold just stained the coral. If soaking for a couple of days in the vinegar didn't (doesn't work) another thing you might try is Hydrogen Peroxide. I know coral can be expensive so good luck. I wouldn't worry about the mold still being alive though...if the stain bothers you that much though I would follow Pademe..'s solution and go buy some more.