Removing frags from their plugs?

bigloggerhead · 05/16/2007, 08:07 PM

I have a couple of ORA frags that I purchased from a LFS and was wondering the best method for removing them from their plugs. I know a lot of people keep them on their plugs but I can't stand the sight of those hideous white plugs and I'm not about to start taking rocks out of my tank and drill holes in them for the plugs to fit. Any ideas?

SDguy · 05/16/2007, 08:16 PM

I usually cut the long part of the plug off, leaving the head. The coral will soon encrust and cover the head (if it hasn't already), so no biggie.

If the frag is big enough, cut it off the plug. Any remaining tissue on the plug will eventually grow into a new frag, and voila..frag for sale

rfosgategt · 05/16/2007, 08:16 PM

are they just the plastic plugs with sand in them and epoxy holding it in? if so just take a pair of plyers and squeeze in the middle it will pop out.

StrategicReef · 05/16/2007, 08:21 PM

I will use a sharp pick or screw driver, razor to try to remove it, if it's not encrusted alot it will come off very easily. If it's encrusted you might break some of the crust...

I found with a encrusted base will be ready to grow faster, and if you destroy the base it will have to rebuild it before it grows in other directions again. A slow process..

I use a diamond cut off wheel and a dremel tool to deal with the ORA plugs, just cut off what you don't want. Usually I cut off the threaded part of these plugs and then use globs of glue to mount what's left of it. Hope this helps

GreyHawk1968 · 05/16/2007, 09:21 PM

I use a splitting axe and have the wife hold the plug .

Hacksaw does a good job of cutting them off as does the Dremel.

leveldrummer · 05/16/2007, 09:24 PM

if its the solid clay type plugs, you can snap the bottom off really easily with a pair of wire snips, if its the platic ones, you can do the same. either way, i do the same as SDguy, leave the head on it, use glue so it doesnt slow any growth that has already happened. it will cover it in no time.

05/16/2007, 08:07 PM	#1
bigloggerhead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 343	Removing frags from their plugs? I have a couple of ORA frags that I purchased from a LFS and was wondering the best method for removing them from their plugs. I know a lot of people keep them on their plugs but I can't stand the sight of those hideous white plugs and I'm not about to start taking rocks out of my tank and drill holes in them for the plugs to fit. Any ideas?

05/16/2007, 08:16 PM	#2
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I usually cut the long part of the plug off, leaving the head. The coral will soon encrust and cover the head (if it hasn't already), so no biggie. If the frag is big enough, cut it off the plug. Any remaining tissue on the plug will eventually grow into a new frag, and voila..frag for sale __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

05/16/2007, 09:21 PM	#5
GreyHawk1968 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mars Posts: 563	I use a splitting axe and have the wife hold the plug . Hacksaw does a good job of cutting them off as does the Dremel. __________________ I moved the couch, put another tank there . Now to explain to wife where we are going to sit. Current Tank Info: 120 AGA RR , Pan-World100PX, 2-Seios 1100's,2-250W MH 10K and 4-110W VHO,all on Icecap ballasts

05/16/2007, 08:16 PM	#3
rfosgategt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 105	are they just the plastic plugs with sand in them and epoxy holding it in? if so just take a pair of plyers and squeeze in the middle it will pop out.

05/16/2007, 08:21 PM	#4
StrategicReef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Livermore CA Posts: 1,659	I will use a sharp pick or screw driver, razor to try to remove it, if it's not encrusted alot it will come off very easily. If it's encrusted you might break some of the crust... I found with a encrusted base will be ready to grow faster, and if you destroy the base it will have to rebuild it before it grows in other directions again. A slow process.. I use a diamond cut off wheel and a dremel tool to deal with the ORA plugs, just cut off what you don't want. Usually I cut off the threaded part of these plugs and then use globs of glue to mount what's left of it. Hope this helps

05/16/2007, 09:24 PM	#6
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	if its the solid clay type plugs, you can snap the bottom off really easily with a pair of wire snips, if its the platic ones, you can do the same. either way, i do the same as SDguy, leave the head on it, use glue so it doesnt slow any growth that has already happened. it will cover it in no time.