SPS arrived attached to stone plugs, how to remove w/o hurting SPS?

drtechno · 06/03/2007, 12:37 PM

Hi all

I have a 20 gal nano and just ordered some SPS. But they arrived on these 1+inch stone plugs that are just way too big to put anywhere nicely. How do I get the SPS off? Or do I just have to cut the plug to a shorter length with a hacksaw ?

Its made of some kind of stony material, not exactly sure what will cut it.

marduc · 06/03/2007, 12:44 PM

chisel and a hammer

drtechno · 06/03/2007, 01:10 PM

hehe just worried about breaking the SPS

soccerman77 · 06/03/2007, 01:34 PM

I was curious about this too. Is that the best way to do it?

marduc · 06/03/2007, 01:36 PM

I don't know about the best way to do it.. but it has worked just fine in the past for me

drtechno · 06/04/2007, 09:45 AM

Did you chisel the SPS off the plug or use the chisel to shorten the clay (?) plug down so it fits?

gpep419 · 06/04/2007, 09:54 AM

cut the coral as close to the plug as possable now you got 2

nyvp · 06/04/2007, 11:16 AM

dremel works also

sammyfish · 06/04/2007, 01:09 PM

I use a small pair of those cutters that are used to cut tree branches. The kind with the curved blade. I just cut off the plug part. But be careful, sometimes it takes 2 hands to squeeze the cutter and when it snaps, both pieces can go flying.

chopsuey · 06/04/2007, 02:16 PM

I hate plugs! Did I mention I HATE PLUGS!!!

I know LFS use these now to save money on live rock/rubble but they are annoying. I just end up breaking the SPS off the plug and using some Flash glue to glue the frag to the rock in my tank. The plug I throw in my sump and use later when I give frags to friends or sell back to the LFS.

06/03/2007, 12:37 PM	#1
drtechno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 156	SPS arrived attached to stone plugs, how to remove w/o hurting SPS? Hi all I have a 20 gal nano and just ordered some SPS. But they arrived on these 1+inch stone plugs that are just way too big to put anywhere nicely. How do I get the SPS off? Or do I just have to cut the plug to a shorter length with a hacksaw ? Its made of some kind of stony material, not exactly sure what will cut it.

06/04/2007, 01:09 PM	#9
sammyfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the back, with the ladies Posts: 77	I use a small pair of those cutters that are used to cut tree branches. The kind with the curved blade. I just cut off the plug part. But be careful, sometimes it takes 2 hands to squeeze the cutter and when it snaps, both pieces can go flying. __________________ The night time is the right time Don’t sweat the petty stuff, pet the sweaty stuff

06/03/2007, 12:44 PM	#2
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	chisel and a hammer

06/03/2007, 01:10 PM	#3
drtechno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 156	hehe just worried about breaking the SPS

06/03/2007, 01:34 PM	#4
soccerman77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: montana Posts: 144	I was curious about this too. Is that the best way to do it?

06/03/2007, 01:36 PM	#5
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	I don't know about the best way to do it.. but it has worked just fine in the past for me

06/04/2007, 09:45 AM	#6
drtechno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 156	Did you chisel the SPS off the plug or use the chisel to shorten the clay (?) plug down so it fits?

06/04/2007, 09:54 AM	#7
gpep419 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 56	cut the coral as close to the plug as possable now you got 2

06/04/2007, 11:16 AM	#8
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	dremel works also

06/04/2007, 02:16 PM	#10
chopsuey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 374	I hate plugs! Did I mention I HATE PLUGS!!! I know LFS use these now to save money on live rock/rubble but they are annoying. I just end up breaking the SPS off the plug and using some Flash glue to glue the frag to the rock in my tank. The plug I throw in my sump and use later when I give frags to friends or sell back to the LFS.