frag plug design for optimum grow-out

[rsteagall]

Has frag plug design been discussed much? I've noticed that if I place my frags so they are forced to climb, the polyps multiply much faster than if you pace them on a peak. Most people with frag tanks use egg crate to grow-out their frags, right? I was thinking of a frag plug that is conical in in design where h is shallow in depth. Please see picture below:

With a cone of shallow h depth and just the right r, if you inverted the drawing above and put it on egg crate it should fit and hold perfectly by the little square holes in egg crate. The frag of course would need to be mounted in the point to encourage a 360 degree upward growth path. I'd just need to figure out how to make a mold for concrete/agracrete to accomplish such a design.

What do you guys think about this whole idea? Please discuss your experiece with frag placement compared to growth.

 

[jason9jay]

I like the idea, i've noticed that zoas grow up faster that down as well, mostly because they are phototrophic, as in they are attracted to light. The only problem I see is that if they are not directly under the lights, some parts of the cone may be shaded if they are too tall(but you may have figured that when you said low h). Maybe rounding them off and making htem flatter? What about just cement, can that be used or shaped? what about polymer Clay? I've never heard of it being used in reefing but it can be oven cooked to any shape. Has anyone ever tried using clay to make plugs?

 

[rsteagall]

yes, low h is so they can get light. If need be, you could still angle the cones toward the light slightly if needed and then rotate them on a schedule.

 

[rsteagall]

Anyone else experience the same thing... agree... disagree.... indifferent?

 

[Reef Junkie]

I agree.