How do you break the frag plug stem?

Bigwyll · 09/28/2011, 12:00 PM

I purchased a few pieces of coral over the weekend and I want to mount them to rocks using epoxy but the stem makes them stand out.

Is there an easy way to break the stem without damaging the coral?

One of the zoa's is heavily encrusted on the plug almost groing on the under side of the plug.

sporto0 · 09/28/2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigwyll

I purchased a few pieces of coral over the weekend and I want to mount them to rocks using epoxy but the stem makes them stand out.

Is there an easy way to break the stem without damaging the coral?

One of the zoa's is heavily encrusted on the plug almost groing on the under side of the plug.

I use a Dremel tool with a small cutting wheel, it literally takes 2 seconds & it's a clean cut with no damage to the coral.

ski360 · 09/28/2011, 12:12 PM

+1 on a dremel tool, other then that sometimes the frag will wiggle lose from the plug.

Fizz71 · 09/28/2011, 01:36 PM

What's the plug made of? I've had cement plugs break right at the base with a chisel and a LIGHT tap from a hammer...Logistically it can be tough if it's totally encrusted.

I've also broken them off the plug to mount them and then left the remains on the plug to regrow to resell.

I usually do that for plastic plugs.

You can also drill a hole in the rock.

Bigwyll · 09/28/2011, 01:53 PM

Thanks. Can't believe I didn't think of the dremmel tool. I'll grab one on the way homoe from work.

snorvich · 09/28/2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporto0

I use a Dremel tool with a small cutting wheel, it literally takes 2 seconds & it's a clean cut with no damage to the coral.

Same here.

wbdevers · 09/28/2011, 03:33 PM

I just use a pair of side cutter pliers on ceramic plugs. A small amount of force and they pop off almost perfectly flush with the base.

Sport507 · 09/28/2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporto0

I use a Dremel tool with a small cutting wheel, it literally takes 2 seconds & it's a clean cut with no damage to the coral.

It’s the preferred choice among reefers far and wide. Never leave home without it.

jeff@zina.com · 09/28/2011, 06:15 PM

They're zoas. Peel them off the plug.

Jeff

rovster · 09/29/2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

They're zoas. Peel them off the plug.

Jeff

Can you elaborate on this? How hard will it be to "super glue" them in the tank where you want them. I have an open piece of rock in my tank I would love to just slap some zoas on there, LOL, but don't know how to do it, and how long it would take for them to take hold. I've transfered some ricordia from one rock to another using cheese cloth and rubberbands, but I'm assuming this wont work with zoas, and I can't really remove that rock. Thanks.

jeff@zina.com · 09/29/2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovster

I've transfered some ricordia from one rock to another using cheese cloth and rubberbands, but I'm assuming this wont work with zoas, and I can't really remove that rock. Thanks.

That works for zoas, or just glue the bottom of the polyps. Zoas grow on a mat of sorts, this can easily be peeled from a rock and glued elsewhere.

Jeff

lilredwuck · 09/29/2011, 08:37 AM

I use dikes or is it dykes? Also known as side cutters. Easier than a dremel as it doesn't require electricity and is literally right there. Just use super glue GEL. If you go cutting the zoas wear glove and eye protection though.

09/28/2011, 12:00 PM	#1
Bigwyll Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 51	How do you break the frag plug stem? I purchased a few pieces of coral over the weekend and I want to mount them to rocks using epoxy but the stem makes them stand out. Is there an easy way to break the stem without damaging the coral? One of the zoa's is heavily encrusted on the plug almost groing on the under side of the plug.

09/28/2011, 03:33 PM	#7
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	I just use a pair of side cutter pliers on ceramic plugs. A small amount of force and they pop off almost perfectly flush with the base. __________________ Wes Beatings will continue until morale improves!!! "I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them."--Judge Smails Current Tank Info: 125g ML dual corner OF mixed reef, Custom stand and canopy, 40g custom sump, lighting (in flux :( )

09/29/2011, 08:37 AM	#12
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	I use dikes or is it dykes? Also known as side cutters. Easier than a dremel as it doesn't require electricity and is literally right there. Just use super glue GEL. If you go cutting the zoas wear glove and eye protection though. __________________ 120 gallon, 75 gallon sump 180 gallon, 100 gallon sump, 45 Gallon Frag Tank 125 gallon Freshwater Oscars, Bichor and a Clown Knife.

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09/28/2011, 12:12 PM	#3
ski360 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	+1 on a dremel tool, other then that sometimes the frag will wiggle lose from the plug.

09/28/2011, 01:36 PM	#4
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	What's the plug made of? I've had cement plugs break right at the base with a chisel and a LIGHT tap from a hammer...Logistically it can be tough if it's totally encrusted. I've also broken them off the plug to mount them and then left the remains on the plug to regrow to resell. I usually do that for plastic plugs. You can also drill a hole in the rock.

09/28/2011, 01:53 PM	#5
Bigwyll Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 51	Thanks. Can't believe I didn't think of the dremmel tool. I'll grab one on the way homoe from work.

09/28/2011, 06:15 PM	#9
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	They're zoas. Peel them off the plug. Jeff