How to prune my tank?

briangg57 · 08/29/2008, 07:14 PM

My corals have overgrown and starting to shade others. I've divided my rose before and I'm going to do that again. I also have to get rid of some of my monti cap, which I know I can just snap off a piece.I've never divided my torch but I think that I can use sharp scissors and just cut down as close to the base as possible. Is this correct? Also I need to frag my finger leather. Can I cut it with sharp scissors or do I have to go to the store and buy a razor blade? Also what is the best way to mount a frag of finger leather onto a small piece of rock? I have someone coming over to buy some frags tomorrow and I want to try to mount them for her> thanks for your help, Brian.

TXAlbert · 08/29/2008, 07:15 PM

I don't think you should prune the tank itself.

docalatamu · 08/29/2008, 07:17 PM

wow, nice looking tank

how did you divide the rose BTA? It all looks so gorgeous! What lighting do you have?

nu2reefva · 08/29/2008, 07:50 PM

alright so you want to do some fragging!!!
lets start with the leather you can just cut it with sharp scissors i would suggest to cut below a fork in the leather if possible.
now onto the monti i would just either break pieces off or use coral propogation clippers from your LFS.
and finally onto the torch well this is a very very very tough coral to frag you need to cut it as close to the branch of the head as possible and just use a scalpel of propogation clippers from your LFS the major thing i need to tell you is if you cut off any tissue matter then those heads WILL DIE so be very careful and if you can just take the torch into your LFS if they will frag it for you.

if you need anymore help just let us know.

briangg57 · 08/29/2008, 08:08 PM

[QUOTE][i]
[B]wow, nice looking tank

how did you divide the rose BTA? It all looks so gorgeous! What lighting do you have?

I have 260 watts of PCs and108 watts of T-5s
Thanks, Now as far as dividing the nem, I think they should make this a sticky, I've typed it so many times. Here goes,
It's so easy, even a cave man can do it! 1st, get a bucket of tank water to put the divided anems. in.2nd put on rubber gloves, 3rd VERY gently work your finger in between the anem and the rock that it is attached to. It took me about 8 mins. to work him out off the rock. If you have to and are able to, you can remove the rock from the water and work on him. I here that if he doesn't want to release, you can apply a little cooled down tank water to his foot.this is by far the hardest part of the operation. 4th. Place the anem face up and foot down on a dinner plate. 5th Get ketchup. Just kidding. Next, using a very sharp NON serrated knife which works much better than a razor blade because being bigger, you have better control and won't find yourself making multiple cuts in it. You carefully slice the anem directly down the center being sure to divide the foot as equally as possible. Then place both anems in the bucket of water and gently swish them in it to remove the slime.Let them stay in the bucket for 15 min. then gently swish them again and then find a nice place with moderate flow and what works for me, is to have 2 rocks about 3 inches apart and another about 3 inches behind it to form a secure spot for him to attach to. In a couple weeks you will see each forming an entire mouth. Truly is amazing, Good luck. Brian

chrismunn · 08/29/2008, 08:10 PM

you dont want to cut the tissue of the torch right, just break the skeleton?

briangg57 · 08/29/2008, 08:22 PM

Forgot to mention that if you put them too close together, it is unlikely but possible to reattach.

nattarbox · 08/29/2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlbertoMexico
I don't think you should prune the tank itself.

Wish I had this problem.

nu2reefva · 08/29/2008, 08:59 PM

yes avoid cutting tissue at all costs if you do those heads will die.

briangg57 · 08/30/2008, 07:18 AM

!!!!!!!!!!! If your're going to divide a BTA read this!!!!!!!!QUOTE"Next, using a very sharp NON serrated knife which works much better than a razor blade because being bigger, you have better control and won't find yourself making multiple cuts in it. You carefully slice the anem directly down the center being sure to divide the foot as equally as possible. "

I meant to say divide the mouth and foot as equal as possible.

docalatamu · 08/30/2008, 08:26 AM

wow, and your rose nem is that big! what did you do with the other one? torch corals are easy to frag, just break off the different branches, looks awesome though!

briangg57 · 08/30/2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by docalatamu
wow, and your rose nem is that big! what did you do with the other one? torch corals are easy to frag, just break off the different branches, looks awesome though!

I divided it about a year ago. At that time it was 24 inches across. I divided it into 2- 8 inch roses. Then I sold one to a worker at a LFS for $100.00. The same price I paid for mine originally. Then he called me 2 weeks later to tell me that it divided on it's own. I saw him a few weeks ago and he said that both of his anems were doing great. Now since the division, my nem has grown again to 22 inches. I'm going to divide it soon and this time I will post a step by step series of pics.

08/29/2008, 07:14 PM	#1
briangg57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 634	How to prune my tank? My corals have overgrown and starting to shade others. I've divided my rose before and I'm going to do that again. I also have to get rid of some of my monti cap, which I know I can just snap off a piece.I've never divided my torch but I think that I can use sharp scissors and just cut down as close to the base as possible. Is this correct? Also I need to frag my finger leather. Can I cut it with sharp scissors or do I have to go to the store and buy a razor blade? Also what is the best way to mount a frag of finger leather onto a small piece of rock? I have someone coming over to buy some frags tomorrow and I want to try to mount them for her> thanks for your help, Brian. __________________ Ain't like goin down to the pond, cetching bluegills and tommy cats. Current Tank Info: 75 gal.,20 gal. sump with wet-dry, also run carbon,75 to 100lbs live rock. 3&1/2 inch sand bed, 390 Watts PC. lighting and loving it!!!

08/29/2008, 07:15 PM	#2
TXAlbert Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aggieland Posts: 169	Re: How to prune my tank? I don't think you should prune the tank itself.

08/29/2008, 07:50 PM	#4
nu2reefva Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 427	alright so you want to do some fragging!!! lets start with the leather you can just cut it with sharp scissors i would suggest to cut below a fork in the leather if possible. now onto the monti i would just either break pieces off or use coral propogation clippers from your LFS. and finally onto the torch well this is a very very very tough coral to frag you need to cut it as close to the branch of the head as possible and just use a scalpel of propogation clippers from your LFS the major thing i need to tell you is if you cut off any tissue matter then those heads WILL DIE so be very careful and if you can just take the torch into your LFS if they will frag it for you. if you need anymore help just let us know. __________________ "Dont you just love the smell of Acro in the Morning!" Current Tank Info: 120, ATB 840, LMIII 2-Part baby, 250 watt 20k radiums on new Ice Cap, Lumenbright III, VHO actinics, Nano Wavebox, Dart Closed Loop with OM 4 Way, Eheim Return, 100Lbs of Marshal Rock, 150Lbs of Sand

08/29/2008, 08:08 PM	#5
briangg57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 634	[QUOTE][i] [B]wow, nice looking tank how did you divide the rose BTA? It all looks so gorgeous! What lighting do you have? I have 260 watts of PCs and108 watts of T-5s Thanks, Now as far as dividing the nem, I think they should make this a sticky, I've typed it so many times. Here goes, It's so easy, even a cave man can do it! 1st, get a bucket of tank water to put the divided anems. in.2nd put on rubber gloves, 3rd VERY gently work your finger in between the anem and the rock that it is attached to. It took me about 8 mins. to work him out off the rock. If you have to and are able to, you can remove the rock from the water and work on him. I here that if he doesn't want to release, you can apply a little cooled down tank water to his foot.this is by far the hardest part of the operation. 4th. Place the anem face up and foot down on a dinner plate. 5th Get ketchup. Just kidding. Next, using a very sharp NON serrated knife which works much better than a razor blade because being bigger, you have better control and won't find yourself making multiple cuts in it. You carefully slice the anem directly down the center being sure to divide the foot as equally as possible. Then place both anems in the bucket of water and gently swish them in it to remove the slime.Let them stay in the bucket for 15 min. then gently swish them again and then find a nice place with moderate flow and what works for me, is to have 2 rocks about 3 inches apart and another about 3 inches behind it to form a secure spot for him to attach to. In a couple weeks you will see each forming an entire mouth. Truly is amazing, Good luck. Brian __________________ Ain't like goin down to the pond, cetching bluegills and tommy cats. Current Tank Info: 75 gal.,20 gal. sump with wet-dry, also run carbon,75 to 100lbs live rock. 3&1/2 inch sand bed, 390 Watts PC. lighting and loving it!!!

08/29/2008, 08:10 PM	#6
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	you dont want to cut the tissue of the torch right, just break the skeleton? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

08/29/2008, 07:17 PM	#3
docalatamu Moved On Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Serengeti Posts: 322	wow, nice looking tank how did you divide the rose BTA? It all looks so gorgeous! What lighting do you have?

08/29/2008, 08:22 PM	#7
briangg57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 634	Forgot to mention that if you put them too close together, it is unlikely but possible to reattach. __________________ Ain't like goin down to the pond, cetching bluegills and tommy cats. Current Tank Info: 75 gal.,20 gal. sump with wet-dry, also run carbon,75 to 100lbs live rock. 3&1/2 inch sand bed, 390 Watts PC. lighting and loving it!!!

08/29/2008, 08:59 PM	#9
nu2reefva Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 427	yes avoid cutting tissue at all costs if you do those heads will die. __________________ "Dont you just love the smell of Acro in the Morning!" Current Tank Info: 120, ATB 840, LMIII 2-Part baby, 250 watt 20k radiums on new Ice Cap, Lumenbright III, VHO actinics, Nano Wavebox, Dart Closed Loop with OM 4 Way, Eheim Return, 100Lbs of Marshal Rock, 150Lbs of Sand

08/30/2008, 07:18 AM	#10
briangg57 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 634	!!!!!!!!!!! If your're going to divide a BTA read this!!!!!!!!QUOTE"Next, using a very sharp NON serrated knife which works much better than a razor blade because being bigger, you have better control and won't find yourself making multiple cuts in it. You carefully slice the anem directly down the center being sure to divide the foot as equally as possible. " I meant to say divide the mouth and foot as equal as possible. __________________ Ain't like goin down to the pond, cetching bluegills and tommy cats. Current Tank Info: 75 gal.,20 gal. sump with wet-dry, also run carbon,75 to 100lbs live rock. 3&1/2 inch sand bed, 390 Watts PC. lighting and loving it!!!

08/30/2008, 08:26 AM	#11
docalatamu Moved On Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Serengeti Posts: 322	wow, and your rose nem is that big! what did you do with the other one? torch corals are easy to frag, just break off the different branches, looks awesome though!