Frag Plugs

smellslikeTUNA · 01/03/2012, 06:28 PM

Just picked up some sweet SPS frags tonight but I've decided I can't take these unsightly plugs in my tank! Can someone give me some instruction on removing the frags from the plug? Any advice is much appreciated

Agu · 01/03/2012, 06:45 PM

SPS will overgrow the plugs and make them much less obvious. With small frags that's the best choice.

With larger frags you can break them off at the base and use epoxy putty to attach them to your live rock. You'll still have the putty exposed until it's encrusted and it's a riskier proposition to the health of your new corals.

Commercial vendors use plugs because it's cost efficient. As a hobbyist I use rock rubble because it's more aesthetically appealing.

ZR1001 · 01/03/2012, 06:49 PM

Flat screw driver will do the trick

greech · 01/03/2012, 07:21 PM

Unless a coral is completely encrusted over a plug a small (slightly bigger than an eyeglass driver) screwdriver pops most frags off. Superglue is pretty friable after is cures. Helps if you kind of dig the screwdriver into the plug under the coral.

Also, if its a clay plug, you can actually cut the plug around the coral with a pair of wire snips. You can also cut the plugs tip off with these.

Jsteffen · 01/03/2012, 07:41 PM

Yes a small screwdriver or dremel to cut plugs down

sponger0 · 01/04/2012, 07:29 AM

I use a knife to pry under the frag and then stick it on some rubble rock so its easier to move in case it doesnt seem happy where it is originally put.

If its encrusted over the plug, I take it down as much as I can so it doesnt look like a plug but not to remove too much from the colony.

BIG_KAHUNA · 01/04/2012, 09:11 AM

yeah the tip of the plug always gets me too. wire snip them right off, I leave the disc tho.

lemmy_k · 01/04/2012, 06:30 PM

Dumb question, but, how do you glue them when everything is wet?

tony53176 · 01/04/2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemmy_k

Dumb question, but, how do you glue them when everything is wet?

you can use epoxy, they sell epoxy that can be used wet or dry I actually used some for my live rock in the tank and it worked like a charm, usually dries a grey color but you can get some that dry the "same" color as corraline algae I believe. Also I heard that super glue gel will work under water but I haven't tried that one yet.

tebstan · 01/04/2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony53176

you can use epoxy, they sell epoxy that can be used wet or dry I actually used some for my live rock in the tank and it worked like a charm, usually dries a grey color but you can get some that dry the "same" color as corraline algae I believe. Also I heard that super glue gel will work under water but I haven't tried that one yet.

It's a lie! It's not the color of coraline at all, lol. The regular epoxy gets coraline on it pretty quickly. The "dries purple" stuff is a crayon marker color. It also grew a weird algae on it. You get twice as much of the regular stuff for the same price. I won't waste money on the purple stuff again, but I had to try it.

smellslikeTUNA · 01/14/2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemmy_k

Dumb question, but, how do you glue them when everything is wet?

I took a piece of LR rubble out and let it dry then after getting the frag off the plug I let it set in the glue on the piece of rubble for 10-15mins and blew on it a little to help firm up. Worked well and looks great! Thanks for all the tips everyone

01/03/2012, 06:28 PM	#1
smellslikeTUNA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 453	Frag Plugs Just picked up some sweet SPS frags tonight but I've decided I can't take these unsightly plugs in my tank! Can someone give me some instruction on removing the frags from the plug? Any advice is much appreciated __________________ -Great minds don't think alike, they innovate!- 57g Oceanic Illuminata \| Kessil A150W 10K LED \| 1x 453nm Stunner \| Trigger Systems Sump/Refug \| Reef Octopus NWB-110 Skimmer \| RKL+ System \| 2X Evo 750gph \| BFS RO/DI

01/03/2012, 06:45 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	SPS will overgrow the plugs and make them much less obvious. With small frags that's the best choice. With larger frags you can break them off at the base and use epoxy putty to attach them to your live rock. You'll still have the putty exposed until it's encrusted and it's a riskier proposition to the health of your new corals. Commercial vendors use plugs because it's cost efficient. As a hobbyist I use rock rubble because it's more aesthetically appealing. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

01/03/2012, 07:21 PM	#4
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Unless a coral is completely encrusted over a plug a small (slightly bigger than an eyeglass driver) screwdriver pops most frags off. Superglue is pretty friable after is cures. Helps if you kind of dig the screwdriver into the plug under the coral. Also, if its a clay plug, you can actually cut the plug around the coral with a pair of wire snips. You can also cut the plugs tip off with these. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

01/04/2012, 09:11 AM	#7
BIG_KAHUNA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 4.815 S 162.342 E Posts: 478	yeah the tip of the plug always gets me too. wire snip them right off, I leave the disc tho. __________________ Scott

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do you remove frag plug from....	sscat22	Coral Propagation and Aquaculture	7	10/06/2011 01:53 PM
Placing frag plugs directly in sand	pcofdareef	Coral Propagation and Aquaculture	10	05/18/2010 10:44 PM
who makes their own frag plugs.. i need some plugs	RMR RaC3R	Greater Connecticut Area Regional Forum	7	03/06/2010 09:29 AM
FS: 50 Frag Plugs - 45 plugs, 5 disks - $10	mr_timluu	Southern California Reefers	0	08/14/2008 01:47 PM
Frag Plugs at the Frag Swap	nmprisons	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	2	01/20/2007 12:04 AM

01/03/2012, 06:49 PM	#3
ZR1001 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 359	Flat screw driver will do the trick

01/03/2012, 07:41 PM	#5
Jsteffen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 10	Yes a small screwdriver or dremel to cut plugs down

01/04/2012, 07:29 AM	#6
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	I use a knife to pry under the frag and then stick it on some rubble rock so its easier to move in case it doesnt seem happy where it is originally put. If its encrusted over the plug, I take it down as much as I can so it doesnt look like a plug but not to remove too much from the colony.

01/04/2012, 06:30 PM	#8
lemmy_k Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 262	Dumb question, but, how do you glue them when everything is wet?