More noob questions

[Stickboy97]

As some of you know, I am just starting to collect SPS... well here are some of the simplest, basic questions for a noon...

What do you dip your new SPS frags in?
Do you always dip your frags?
Do you QT coral frags? From other reefers? from stores?
What do you use to attach your frags to your rocks?

thx!

 

[reefrf]

More noob questions

1) I've tried Bayer, coral RX, Revive & Melafix. Personally I prefer Melafix

2) YES- Always dip my Frags. Always remove the plug or stone they're attached to.

3) No, I do not QT corals. Just too difficult for me.

4) I use 2 part epoxy (aqua stick) with superglue gel. Or by themselves.


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[jda]

I use Coral Rx and then bayer if I see anything. I also won't get coral except from a trusted source.

I always dip.

I do QT my corals, but more for observation. I will not treat again unless I need to. This is more like isolation.

I also use 2 part with a dab of super glue on each side. I mount them to a disc or glob of putty and then mount that in my tank - looks completely natural and you don't have the discs everywhere.

 

[karimwassef]

Bayer
Yes
No
superglue

 

[bif24701]

Bayer
Yes
No
superglue

+1, "GEL" super glue.


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[karimwassef]

+1, "GEL" super glue.


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Yup. Thickest gel superglue you find

 

[Stickboy97]

So I have some aqua stick epoxy. You guys put gel superglue between the coral and the epoxy? Then super glue the epoxy (w/frag) to the rocks?

Guess I need to buy some Bayer or something to dip in.

 

[bif24701]

So I have some aqua stick epoxy. You guys put gel superglue between the coral and the epoxy? Then super glue the epoxy (w/frag) to the rocks?

Guess I need to buy some Bayer or something to dip in.

That's a very good way to do it, but I just use gel super glue and apply it to the plug then hold the plug to the rock for 10-20 seconds.


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[Stickboy97]

If possible I want to remove all plugs from the corals I buy. Would rather not have them in my tank. Plus I hear they harbor critters.

 

[Potatohead]

Some people may disagree but I would caution you about removing acros that have encrusted onto plugs. I know BRS says to do it in their videos, but 90% of the time I have a frag go up in smoke, it's a fresh cut frag. If they have encrusted they are way more likely to be fine. I know plugs are ugly but once the thing grows it's gone.

I dip with Seachem Reef dip, I don't QT corals, and I use a glue/epoxy/glue sandwich to mount them. If the corals come from a trusted source (a few local guys) I don't even bother dipping.

 

[karimwassef]

Fragging is part of the natural life cycle for corals. This is how they propagate most of the time.

In fact, when I get a frag, I break it up into smaller pieces and put each in a separate part of the tank to get different light and waterflow. This actually triggers a survival response in them and gives the whole group a better chance of attaching and encrusting somewhere.

Unfortunately, that can also lead to severe overcrowding as multiple coral heads push for space....

If refragging kills the frag, it may have been compromised ahead of time or the tank may not be healthy enough for propagation.

 

[jda]

I would much rather have the coral die than risk a pest - hands down.

If you get SPS from a quality source, then they can handle being remounted. You are going to have to figure out how this works for you in your own specific case, but I have rules which basically are that I buy no SPS frags from LED tanks unless they are local I really know the person... and only ship T5 and MH frags since they are often many times hardier. I have had too many weak, light colored LED frags that just don't make it in too large of numbers to just ignore - if they do make it, it takes a LONG time to recover.

 

[karimwassef]

I would much rather have the coral die than risk a pest - hands down.

If you get SPS from a quality source, then they can handle being remounted. You are going to have to figure out how this works for you in your own specific case, but I have rules which basically are that I buy no SPS frags from LED tanks unless they are local I really know the person... and only ship T5 and MH frags since they are often many times hardier. I have had too many weak, light colored LED frags that just don't make it in too large of numbers to just ignore - if they do make it, it takes a LONG time to recover.

Totally agree. Frag and throw the plug away. Dip and glue.

I have the same issue with "gently lit" corals. Most completely change color in my tank -or die because they've been acclimated for years to softer conditions. The ones that make it grow with intense vigor... like making up for lost time.

 

[Potatohead]

Fragging is part of the natural life cycle for corals. This is how they propagate most of the time.

In fact, when I get a frag, I break it up into smaller pieces and put each in a separate part of the tank to get different light and waterflow. This actually triggers a survival response in them and gives the whole group a better chance of attaching and encrusting somewhere.

Unfortunately, that can also lead to severe overcrowding as multiple coral heads push for space....

If refragging kills the frag, it may have been compromised ahead of time or the tank may not be healthy enough for propagation.

I would much rather have the coral die than risk a pest - hands down.

If you get SPS from a quality source, then they can handle being remounted. You are going to have to figure out how this works for you in your own specific case, but I have rules which basically are that I buy no SPS frags from LED tanks unless they are local I really know the person... and only ship T5 and MH frags since they are often many times hardier. I have had too many weak, light colored LED frags that just don't make it in too large of numbers to just ignore - if they do make it, it takes a LONG time to recover.

Totally agree. Frag and throw the plug away. Dip and glue.

I have the same issue with "gently lit" corals. Most completely change color in my tank -or die because they've been acclimated for years to softer conditions. The ones that make it grow with intense vigor... like making up for lost time.

Of course you are going to need to frag your own, or choose to, but they are typically kept under the same water and lighting conditions as they are used to. A coral that has just been purchased, is not, and I think that is where a lot of the problem comes in when it comes to fresh cut frags.

Now if you want to argue it's more lighting and water, that's fine because I don't disagree. It's pretty tough to find someone with the same light setup and water parameters you're running all the time though, so giving that frag the best chance at making it IMO is a good plan.

I have not really seen any pest issues in my tank from frag plugs but as stated earlier, I buy from local sources and if I see anything in those tanks, I don't buy.

 

[Scorpius]

I rip any new frag of the frag plug then dip in Bayer. I inspect the coral and dip water. If I don't see anything I glue my new frag onto my rock work.

 

[Reefnub]

I do the same as a few mentioned above.
I haven't experienced a loss from fresh cut or any acro if my own tank and the frag is healthy.

My tank is sps dominant and consist of aquaculture, mariculture, and complete wild acros.
For any acro that is encrusted or not, I completely remove off the base and dip with bayer.
The concentration of bayer I use compared to others is pretty harsh and milky looking.

After the dip, I add an additional layer of super gel glue around the base in case I missed something since aefw eggs grows on the base.
I then glue the acro onto my rockwork.

 

[reefmutt]

i always remove the plug and dip in bayer but I've used melafix as well. i find these two are the most destructive to the pest and least stressful on the coral.
I dont qt..
I assume every acro i acquire is infected with something and treat it accordingly.. sometimes to the detriment of the coral but as some have said, better safe than sorry..