first time fragger needs advice

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by mark

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

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

[Farrmanchu]

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.

[mark]

Originally Posted by Farrmanchu

. I can do a thread on Softie Fragging if the interest is there.

please

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by Farrmanchu

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.

Yes, please and thank you!! The mushroom I butchered last week taking it off a rock is healing quite nicely, so I can imagine if it's done properly I'd end up with one heck of a frag!

[Farrmanchu]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

Yes, please and thank you!! The mushroom I butchered last week taking it off a rock is healing quite nicely, so I can imagine if it's done properly I'd end up with one heck of a frag!

You can snip it right off the rock, and the flesh left behind will become a new Shroom. The cutoff can be cut in four quarters, allowed to heal in a glass with rubble (in tank), and in a few weeks there should be four mostly healed Shrooms attached to the rubble. There's some finer points, I'll cover them in the upcoming thread.

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by Farrmanchu

Shrooms are super easy to frag, and heal quickly.

you're meaning mushrooms, not toadstools right?

cuz I also got a large 12" toadstool I'll have to frag if I notice it growing. With it being that size, do I have to get some of the stalk with every piece? if so, some of them would be like 4" frags.

I got some forceps and some scalpals today. When i'm fragging, i'm gonna have somone handy, just so i can play surgeon and say "scalpal...forcep..." lol

[Farrmanchu]

It does help to have an assistant with big Corals. I was meaning Mushrooms, I've never Fragged a Toadstool. I have heard that when fragging any Leather, there is a greater risk of bacterial infection. If it's attached to a thin, and small enough rock or base, I would cut or break the base, and then set it in such a way that gravity causes a slow split. In this way, it heals as it is fragged, over a period of time. That's what I did with my Bubble Coral, I broke the base skeleton area, tilted it on it's side, and after a couple weeks, two good sized frags had dropped off, without breaking any bubbles.

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by Farrmanchu

I have heard that when fragging any Leather, there is a greater risk of bacterial infection.

i read the one method where you use zap straps "plastic pull ties" to slowly cause the leather stalks to split off. attach a strap around each branch you want removed, then each day, you tighten the strap. don't know how i'd do that with a toadstool though... maybe cut off the head slowly that way, then frag it up? I know that would be a LOT of exposed flesh if I cut the whole head off with a knife, with the stalk for the toadstool being 8-10" or so.

[Midknight]

Joining the ride. Lots of good info so far.

[albert_dao]

Next time you're by, Sean, I'll show you my techniques. Super easy.