Cutting Zoa's off frag plugs?

[hann1bal]

I just got my 1st Zoa's at a local frag swap and got 5 nice frags. (pics soon)

Anyways I started them at the bottom in the sand bed to acclimate and they are looking great. I love em! We are at the stage of moving them up to the rock I would like to place them and let them grow like crazy but im not sure on how i should handle this. My options seem to be:


1) Just glue the frag plugs as is on the rock (I feel this may look wierd with a long plug stem n all but with putty it may work)

2)Cut the frag's "stem" part off (not sure this is even possible) leaving the disk and glue that to the rock

3)Or as the post below shows - he CUT the zoas off the frag and glued them to the rock directly (scary).

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549226&highlight=zoa+glue

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sde1500]

Cutting the stem off the plug is very easy. I use a set of pliers that have a wire cutter, cuts right through the stem with little effort. I just epoxied all the disks to my rock. Looks a little odd for now, but once they over grow the plug it will look fine I think.

 

[jayball]

Cutting the stem off the plug is very easy. I use a set of pliers that have a wire cutter, cuts right through the stem with little effort. I just epoxied all the disks to my rock. Looks a little odd for now, but once they over grow the plug it will look fine I think.

This, be sure you are holding the disk as it can fly otherwise. I also trim the plug down to where the zoa's base is to get it on the rock faster.

 

[hann1bal]

Perfect thanks for the resplies. I have never cut a plug so wasn't sure if it was possible even. Thats what I'll do.

Thanks again.

 

[Nrupaw]

When i was into Zoas, i could manage to even completly take them off the frag plugs they come on.

The best tool I found was a wood chisel - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Buck-Bros-1-4-in-Wood-Chisel-120101BC/100351882 The skinnier the better.

What i would do is i'd slide the chisel between the zoa mat and the frag plug. Within a couple of mins i could take a whole zoa mat off the plug in 1 peice.

I would then grab a small peice of live rock. (always kept a ton of rubble in the sump). A dab of super glue on it and just stick the zoa onto the rubble.

Big advantages are 1) you don't end up having a put a frag plug in your tank. more of a natural look, and 2) no frag plug meant no hitch hikers

also, invest in a $5 safety glasses when working with zoas and palys. maybe even a box of disposable latex gloves.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

The best tool I found was a wood chisel - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Buck-Bros-1-4-in-Wood-Chisel-120101BC/100351882 The skinnier the better.

Nice trick, I think I'll steal that one!

I usually cut them off the plug using a very sharp knife and actually trim a little of the plug off under the zoa. That way I'm gluing a piece of plug vs the zoa itself. I don't think it would hurt the zoa, but it sticks much better this way.

 

[fity2pounder]

I've done a bunch of different stuff with zoas. My experience is that it's not worth the risk of trying to scrape them off of the frag plug unless its a really smooth plug. Sometimes certain areas stick really well and then end up damaging the zoas (or at minimum stunting their growth as they have to reattach). The safest way I have found is to simply find a good hole that you can wedge the plug stem into. I have also drilled holes in my rocks that are the exact same size as the plug stems so then you can put them wherever you want. I would also recommend making sure that whatever zoas you put there you will want there permanently. Often times people's opinions will change after they have been in the hobby for a while. If you have stuff growing all over the rocks it's hard to get them off or you have to cut the rock. Just my two cents.