first time fragger needs advice
 

I bought a finger leather coral from Razz, and it's JUST a little too large for my tank. (thanks again Razz, I like this one a lot)

http://www.kwirky88.com/images/fingerleather.jpg

It was just moved from his system to mine. It's displaying it's polyps throughout the day so I'm thinking it likes it's new home. Our water parameters are almost exactly the same.

I want to trim off some of it's fingers. Any advice for a first time fragger? I'm assuming I just cut off the fingers with scissors, and then thread them to a plug using fishing line and a needle? Do I have this right?

Should I do it with the coral outside of the aquarium, or is cutting it inside fine? There IS a stalk underneath all that. Should I try to get some of the stalk when I frag it?

Hey...check out this link. Gives some good info. Also, definitely don't frag in your tank!

thanks for the opinion :)

ok, I don't really have the means ATM to set up a frag tank, but would I be safe to do my cutting outside of the tank (say in a bucket), then keep the frags in my main tank while I wait for them to attach to their plugs?

Yes, I believe so.

Each month in RC's ReefKeeping on-line mag they feature fragging a different type of coral with lots of pictures. This month is SPS.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/gh/index.php

It can stay out of the water for long enough to cut it, don't rush because it's out of the tank. What's more important is clean cuts, with a scalpel or razor. Cut off the parts that you want to cut, place them in a container with tank water, then place the original Coral back in the tank. Then you mount the frags with the stitch method, take your time.

thanks guys. will the fact that the coral's been moved recently affect the fragging? should I give it some time before I trim it?

I remember seeing this one and looking at the Dr. Mengala tools ;)

I love the rusty pliers and the comment from the author. I was all freaked about getting stuff that wouldn't rust, etc. frustrating that most of these talk about SPS corals - What about my softies, shroomies? I've found a few, but there needs to be more :)

I've fragged Ricordia, Yuma, Chili Coral, but not my Leather, it's not big enough yet. Shrooms are super easy to frag, and heal quickly. I can do a thread on Softie Fragging if the interest is there, got some Zoas to frag too.