how to frag soft corals?

Kigs · 08/04/2006, 09:32 PM

how would you frag a devil's hand?

Nano_reeflover · 08/04/2006, 09:33 PM

Cut a piece off with scissors.

Kigs · 08/04/2006, 09:47 PM

it's that simple? would it be ok to put super glue on the cut section to glue it down to a LR?

Nano_reeflover · 08/04/2006, 09:54 PM

Typically they are really hard if not impossible to glue because they slime up (most softies). I would take a rubber band and loosely band it to a piece of rubble. If the rubber band is too tight you'll cut the frag in half.

ERICinFL · 08/04/2006, 09:55 PM

When I frag mine, I use a razor blade and cut off a piece. Then, to secure it, I add a very small drop of super glue to two sides the cut section. I leave the middle of the frag super glue free so it can attatch itself to the rock (or whatever you're attatching it to) faster. Just make sure that you don't superglue the entire bottom, you want just enough to hold it in place. It really is that simple.

phlipper84 · 08/04/2006, 09:57 PM

what about the larger piece that the frag is taken from? I have a soft coral which is probably 8" wide by a foot tall. My wife would like nothing more than to cut it in half to a more manageable size. The trunk is about 2-3 inches across. If I were to truly take such a large frag, would the size of the cuts kill the coral?

phlipper84 · 08/04/2006, 10:13 PM

Just some pics to give you guys an idea of what I am talking about.

ERICinFL · 08/04/2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phlipper84
what about the larger piece that the frag is taken from? I have a soft coral which is probably 8" wide by a foot tall. My wife would like nothing more than to cut it in half to a more manageable size. The trunk is about 2-3 inches across. If I were to truly take such a large frag, would the size of the cuts kill the coral?

The parent coral will heal fine on it's own.

Mine is about that big too, but I like it. I'm not sure of the repercussions of cutting the thing in half though. I usually prune off a little at a time if a friend wants some. You may want to ask this specific question in the coral propagaton area.

AZDesertRat · 08/04/2006, 10:22 PM

It will heal itself pretty quickly. Just use sharp scissors or better yet a brand new razor blade to make a clean cut. Rubberband the new piece or stick it in a small container with some rubble or sand and it will attach real quick.

TKByrnes · 08/05/2006, 10:37 AM

you can also use a needle and thread. just stick the needle right through the base and wrap the thread around the lr tie it off so that the frag is against the rock but not tight enough that it starts to split the frag in half. it will attach in about 1-2 weeks. i have done 2 devils hand's and 1 mushroom leather this way. it works great!!!

08/04/2006, 09:32 PM	#1
Kigs Moved On Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: LI, NY Posts: 2,182	how to frag soft corals? how would you frag a devil's hand?

08/04/2006, 09:55 PM	#5
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	When I frag mine, I use a razor blade and cut off a piece. Then, to secure it, I add a very small drop of super glue to two sides the cut section. I leave the middle of the frag super glue free so it can attatch itself to the rock (or whatever you're attatching it to) faster. Just make sure that you don't superglue the entire bottom, you want just enough to hold it in place. It really is that simple. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

08/05/2006, 10:37 AM	#10
TKByrnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fairfield, PA Posts: 1,331	you can also use a needle and thread. just stick the needle right through the base and wrap the thread around the lr tie it off so that the frag is against the rock but not tight enough that it starts to split the frag in half. it will attach in about 1-2 weeks. i have done 2 devils hand's and 1 mushroom leather this way. it works great!!! __________________ Baby it was on sale half price I PROMISE!!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-55 gal sump-mag 9.5 return pump-10 gal frag tank 15 gal refugium. 2x 150 watt HQI outer orbit 4x pc actinic

08/04/2006, 09:33 PM	#2
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Cut a piece off with scissors.

08/04/2006, 09:47 PM	#3
Kigs Moved On Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: LI, NY Posts: 2,182	it's that simple? would it be ok to put super glue on the cut section to glue it down to a LR?

08/04/2006, 09:54 PM	#4
Nano_reeflover Reefer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 449	Typically they are really hard if not impossible to glue because they slime up (most softies). I would take a rubber band and loosely band it to a piece of rubble. If the rubber band is too tight you'll cut the frag in half.

08/04/2006, 09:57 PM	#6
phlipper84 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,024	what about the larger piece that the frag is taken from? I have a soft coral which is probably 8" wide by a foot tall. My wife would like nothing more than to cut it in half to a more manageable size. The trunk is about 2-3 inches across. If I were to truly take such a large frag, would the size of the cuts kill the coral?

08/04/2006, 10:13 PM	#7
phlipper84 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,024	Just some pics to give you guys an idea of what I am talking about.

08/04/2006, 10:22 PM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	It will heal itself pretty quickly. Just use sharp scissors or better yet a brand new razor blade to make a clean cut. Rubberband the new piece or stick it in a small container with some rubble or sand and it will attach real quick.