Fragging - Acans/Faviids and others

[AndyL]

Since ruth asked... And there's been more response than expected to my frag sale - Lets play god shall we?



Subject here is an Acan Lord

Most of the tools - 2 you dont see is the 2.5g tank (with tank water) beside the towel, and the 1 3/8" diamond cutting disc on the dremel (courtesy princess auto).



I use a slightly different method than the hammer/chisel. Mostly because I like renewable colonies, if the edge is gone - it's probably not coming back...

I undercut the polyps - as close as possible. But - take note - cutting = heat... Heat kills polyps. Thats the reason for the 2.5g, as every 10-15sec of cutting it goes into the tank for a minute or so to cool the cut area down.



Then a quick zing across the top...


The finished result (notice ice cream jug used to store frags again in water - usually let them settle for at least 5-10 before gluing)


Reason for doing it this way... Look at the bottom right of this picture - that cut was only a month or so before this was taken...



And dont be like andy - eye protection is absolutely needed - probably should be wearing gloves too...

[Ruth]

Thanks Andy - I have one favia that I wouldn't mind fragging .......... um sometime - I'll let it grow a little more before it goes under the knife.