Removing zoanthids from plugs

padi200

New member
What are people's preferred methods of removing zoanthids from frag plug so they can be moved and glued to rocks?
Do scalpels work best?
 
I usually cut off the stem of the plug leaving just the disk, then glue the disk to a rock and let the polyps grow over it.
 
Depends on the type of plug. Some are really porous and quite easily break off with a cut from some snips. For the more solid type, I use a dremel.
 
Originally the plugs were invented so you don't need to glue the zoas directly on the rocks. They would then overgrow the plugs and spread over the rocks.

If you really want to take them off the plugs you can just scrape the polyps with a butter knife between the colony and the plug. That should work, most of the time.

Grandis.
 
I just found a cool product at Marine Depot. It is a fired ceramic plug station. You put the plugs in it and only the top disc shows. Then they do just what you said and over grow onto the station. Kind of like a rock with holes in it. It weighs enough to not be easily toppled by hermits or snails. Nice idea, but a little overpriced. I got one to try.

ttp://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_Depot_Fired_Ceramic_Frag_Station_Coral_Mounts_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Marine_Depot-MD3171-FIMTCM-vi.html
 
I would think that's not the best way. Looks unnatural to me, and you probably won't have the quality of live rock filtration going on in that type of material. It's just an option.

The best choice for anyone would be to place the frags on rocks using the super glue gel. Or place the frag plugs in holes and let the zoas grow.

If you want to remove them from plugs, then you can glue to the rocks.

Not to fire that product, just my personal opinion.

Grandis.
 
I plan to put the plug in the frag station so I can move it around and let it grow out. After I know where it likes to be and it has been in the tank I while, I can cut the zoas off and glue them on rocks.
 
You don't need the station in that case.
Just put the plugs on rocks and move them around, if needed.

Grandis.
 
You don't need the station in that case.
Just put the plugs on rocks and move them around, if needed.

Grandis.

I've seen the "station" and I too thought it was kinda neat.

The thing is, depending on what inverts/fish you have, they can shove the unglued plugs off the LR a la bulldozers.
 
I will let you all know

I will let you all know

I am gonna try it and will report back and let you all know!
You could always put a small piece of putty in to help hold the
plugs, but not so much that a person would have trouble pulling it out.
I think they are worth a try! My plan is to keep an eye on the plugs and if they don't work, pull em out right away!
 
Or you could just take a piece of live rock and drill holes in it instead of buying a fake rock with holes. Thats what I do!
 
I keep a small plug rack in my fuge and keep them there until they cover the plug. Then I cut off the base and move to the display. This requires your fuge be sit up as a mini version of your display tank but I think the refugium functions better with good flow and light.
 
Clip the stem with bone cutters or wire cutters and glue/epoxy the Zoa covered disc to your desired spot on a roxk
 
Clip the stem with bone cutters or wire cutters and glue/epoxy the Zoa covered disc to your desired spot on a roxk

+1

Been doing this exact same thing for a while now. Haven't come across a plug yet that can't be cut with wire cutters.

I'm finding that they either cover over the plug, or will wlak off the plug allowing me to remove the disk.
 
I use a heavy set of linesmen pliers or bone cutters to cut the stem and the excess disk down until I have just where the zoa's are attached. I hate the look of ceramic disks because the shape is very unnatural and they stay white too long, you can usually tell even after the zoa's grow over it.

I much prefer it when they are attached to rubble.
 
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