Fragging Question

[jonnosteams]

Ok, I've been looking, reading, searching and can't seem to find an answer to my question...

How, or can, you remove a coral from the place it is anchored to? Mushrooms come off pretty easily, but what about Zoas, leathers, Xenia? I've got a Zoa that I want moved because there are other corals trying to grow from under them. I also have a Pulsing Xenia that has split and I would like to move the split.

I don't want to damage them, because I have very few... I just want more room to grow.

[dobejazz]

Xenia I just peeled off the rock with my fingernails

**Warning** Xenia stinks

[Jnicho]

Yup...Xenia peels off pretty easy once you get it started...I don't have nails, so I use a knife to get under the edge and get it started. Zoas grow a mat that attaches too, you should be able to peel them off too with some work. Leathers on the other hand I would worry about tearing or otherwise damaging them. They can be "persuaded" to frag on their own by rubber banding or tying off sections till they naturally "pinch" themselves. Small branches of leathers can just be cut, but I prefer the "pinching" method for larger pieces as it is less risky to both the parent colony and the frag.

[jonnosteams]

thanks a bunch guys

[jonnosteams]

What about the two zoas? Pop them off like shrooms?

[ckusnierek]

Zoas dont come off too eaisly. Can you take the rock out and chip away where there at?

If there on a fairly flat peice you may be able to get a razor blade under them.

Keep this in mind....

I have a strict rule with my tanks: NO CUTTING/FRAGGIN (softies) IN THE TANK.
Soft coral can release nasty toxins into the water once cut. If there is any way I recommend taking them out before fragging. Even if the coral seem to peel of the rock it's flesh is still probally tearing.

If you have to do it in the tank make sure you have fresh carbon...

[Loverotties]

I always take my fags out if I'm fragging.

[jonnosteams]

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

Zoas dont come off too eaisly. Can you take the rock out and chip away where there at?

There are a couple small corals of some unknown type UNDER the 2 Zoas... at least I think they're Zoas. This one rock has Zoas?, bullseye mushroom, clove polyp, and 2 of unknown type... I want to know what the 2 are, plus this rock is crowded.

Also, if I soak some dried rubble for a time, is there an issue using that as a base?

I appreciate everyones help. Y'all are great out here.

[Wiskey]

For fragging Zoas I usually try and snip off a bit of the rock with the zoa's to make attaching them easer.

I use soaked base rock as to glue corals to quite frequentally, I don't think you should have a problem at all.

Whiskey

[crvz]

breaking the rock under zoas is a good idea. Trying to peel them can be rather damaging. BUT, I didnt really see this yet, zoas can be extremely potent with toxins, and you've got to be careful when messing with them. Inhaling or injesting toxins from zoanthids has been the justification for a trip to the ER, and can cause some pretty serious situations, so do be careful. Gloves and eye-protection (they'll squirt) at a minimum, and wash up well afterwards.

[jonnosteams]

Thanks y'all, I'll try to figure something out. I think breaking of rock is out of the question, unless someone has a microscope. The area in question is about the size of a quarter. Plus, it wouldn't be a good idea to get the Dremel in the tank.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by jonnosteams

Thanks y'all, I'll try to figure something out. I think breaking of rock is out of the question, unless someone has a microscope. The area in question is about the size of a quarter. Plus, it wouldn't be a good idea to get the Dremel in the tank.

Lol,.. I take the rock out to dremel.

Whiskey

[jonnosteams]

I'll try to get a pic later to show what I'm up against.

[Wiskey]

Good deal! We love pics

Whiskey