Fragging SPS

[ronj]

does anyone hang their acro's upside down when they frag them???? i have been reading up on this a little..what benefit is it to hang them upside down after fragging them???

 

[Elmo18]

Hi Ron.

I prefer gluing them vertical on a rubble rock, but then would place the rubble rock to the live rocks so that the sps, acro, etc is sideways. While this will decrease the color on the underside, it will let more tips grow out from the side.

You can also try 15-30 degrees with the horizontal, or just sideways is fine.

I haven't tried upsidedown yet. I'm sure people have tried it.

Best,
Ilham

 

[ronj]

so it doesn't hurt to break off a branch and glue it directly to a peice of rubble???

 

[wrightme43]

I have one that is just a few degrees off upside down. Its done really well so far. Incrusting onto the live rock in 4 points where it contacts.

 

[ReeferPatt]

so it doesn't hurt to break off a branch and glue it directly to a peice of rubble???

Yep, no problems, cut it glue it to a piece of rubble or live rock and your good to go. If you glue it at an angle it will branch quicker, assuming your gluing a single piece with no branches. Otherwise you can just glue it horizontally. I myself don't glue frags laying down, cause you loose the tissue that's been glued. Just my preference.

 

[SueT]

GARF was doing experiments with glueing frags literally upside down. I didn't read any further cause it was something that did not interest me. Something about the corallite structure and forcing the coral to develope differently. I absolutely glue mine immediately after fragging or recieving a frag. I see nothing positive in waiting for the fresh cut to heal as you are just going to glue over that area anyway. I don't like to glue mine laying down either. I get plenty of encrusting base growth and IME, get as good a growth mounting standing up. The idea is to get the frag mounted asap to let it adapt and begin growing.

 

[CarlaW]

I mounted most of mine the same way Sue does, except for a couple of millepora that I wanted to try mounting them horizontal. They worked out pretty well when I did that.
When I cut them for people, I would always cut them about 6-10 days before I shipped, something that Mr Calfo told me about stress. It always seemed to work out.

 

[ronj]

GARF was doing experiments with glueing frags literally upside down. I didn't read any further cause it was something that did not interest me. Something about the corallite structure and forcing the coral to develope differently

that's what got me wondering..i just read about that yesterday..i was trying to see if anyone else had any luck hangng them upside down

 

[DonW]

Another thing I'd add is gluing them to something clean. You dont want algae creeping into the base of the freshly glued coral.

Don

 

[ronj]

where is a good place to buy reefplugs???

 

[DonW]

where is a good place to buy reefplugs???

Frag plugs are IMO ugly but are great for selling frags. A hammer and a piece of lr will make alot of frag mounts. Check out the filter guys frag mounting system.

Don

 

[ronj]

i saw that...i am looking for specific plugs that i like..they are red and the bottom has a sharp point..they are very easy to get into crevices on LR..i have some of these from buying frags, but i want a bunch of them

 

[DonW]

i saw that...i am looking for specific plugs that i like..they are red and the bottom has a sharp point..they are very easy to get into crevices on LR..i have some of these from buying frags, but i want a bunch of them

Go to home depot. Get some big drywall anchors.

Don

 

[ronj]

i thought about that as well...the drywall anchors are too wide at the bottom..the ones i want have a sharp point...i can't find them anywhere...i am contemplating buying a bunch of golf tees!!!!

 

[ronj]

i fragged my first acro last night..it is about 1-1/4" tall..it is doing well today..the polyps are all out..i still need a bunch of different colors though!!!

 

[SueT]

all in time Ron, sps tanks take time and patience. These corals you can't hurry as it's easier to make a mistake and loose the entire tank. Just take it slow and easy in looking for just the right species. Charlies sig line always come to mind....

 

[CarlaW]

all in time Ron, sps tanks take time and patience. These corals you can't hurry as it's easier to make a mistake and loose the entire tank. Just take it slow and easy in looking for just the right species. Charlies sig line always come to mind....

AMEN TO THAT.