Softie Fragging 101

[tanyashankles]

Ok you have a great post on here I have read on it but cant find step by step on it. Thank you, I am so excited to try it on my devils hand soft coral. I have a couple of questions though... One, the 'donor' (I take it that is the coral you are taking the frag from) is it something that will heal on its own, or do you need to stitch up its wound? Also, can you frag from ANY part of it or does it need to be a joint or bend, branch if you will, and only one at a time or can you take several pieces at once? And Two, Do you let them heal inside the main tank? I noticed you said you dont want to cut while in the main tank because of toxin release, so is the donor going to be releasing toxins too? Im sorry for being an idiot, but Im really really new at this.. I am the only person I know that even has saltwater tank, so nobody but reefcentral to count on!! (Thank God for all of you!! ) Thank you!! Tanya

 

[lvpd186]

Nice write up, I look forward to seeing future fraggin'!

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11562184#post11562184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanyashankles
Ok you have a great post on here I have read on it but cant find step by step on it.

Thanks, glad I could help!

the 'donor' (I take it that is the coral you are taking the frag from) is it something that will heal on its own, or do you need to stitch up its wound?

No need to stitch it back up, it will heal on its own.

can you frag from ANY part of it or does it need to be a joint or bend, branch if you will, and only one at a time or can you take several pieces at once?

You can frag from any part you wish to; I always cut the donor where it will look the best after cutting. You can cut as many pieces as you like, softies are very hardy and can withstand alot of abuse.

Do you let them heal inside the main tank? I noticed you said you dont want to cut while in the main tank because of toxin release, so is the donor going to be releasing toxins too?

I don't cut it inside the main tank if I can help it, but it really doesn't hurt one way or the other. If it's a rock by itself and I can take it out, I'll do so, but if the donor coral is attached to a non-removable piece of rock, I'll cut it with scissors or a razor blade.

Im sorry for being an idiot, but Im really really new at this..

No problem, we all start out as newbies!!! Glad I could help!

 

[dsanfilippo]

Do you find that there is any toxin release with the finger leathers when being cut in the tank??

Also, how large of a frag can you cut off at one time? I have a really large leather that I NEED to frag. It is on the bottom of my 120, and today the first finger just broke the surface...this guy is huge. Thanks for the help!!

 

[Bkndsdl]

Do you find that there is any toxin release with the finger leathers when being cut in the tank??

I've cut several softies at one time in my tank, and although I could never be absolutely sure there are no adverse effects, I haven't noticed any. I pretty much scalped two large leathers in a 300g before, and didn't notice any adverse effects there either.

how large of a frag can you cut off at one time? I have a really large leather that I NEED to frag.

Man, that's a big one! I'd love to have a frag of that, that's a unique looking devil's hand.

I've cut some big leathers before, pretty much down to the base stalk, and haven't had any problems. This was on a 300g system. Before cutting frags off a big donor, you need to realize it will prob look pretty ugly for a while. I usually try to cut the larger frags closer to the back of the coral first, then selectively cut frags in the front to hide the cuts as good as possible. If you're not worried about aesthetics and are looking to get as many frags as possible, cut 'em as small as you like, but it would be easier to handle frags larger than an inch or two.

HTH!

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11562489#post11562489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Nice write up, I look forward to seeing future fraggin'!

Thanks! I'll be fragging some mushrooms pretty soon, preparing for a move right now so I'll post as soon as things get settled.

 

[dsanfilippo]

Thanks again for the help...I would be happy to trade frags of this guy once they get settled in. I think I will start tomorrow...Would you recommend doing anything to the water?? Carbon, additives, etc? I assume just putting the frags back in the display for growout is OK??

 

[tanyashankles]

Thank you for your great advice, Im anxious to start.. My devils hand is pretty large too but nowhere in the league of that one above! That thing is amazing! Mine is on a rocks of its own, the whole base sits on 2 small rocks, so that half of the base is on one, and the other half is on another, and the rocks are (obviously) touching, being held together by the coral. Do you think it would hurt it if I cut it right there, to separate the two rocks? It is forked right there also... Here is a pic to show you if I can find one that will show the base(wow my coral has grown so much since these pics were taken! It is alot bigger now, it is twice that size)
...

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11591825#post11591825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanyashankles
Do you think it would hurt it if I cut it right there, to separate the two rocks?

That would be the perfect place to start. I would cut it right there with a razor blade, then use a set of diagonal cutters to break the rock in two. Then, I would cut a few of the larger branches off and attach them to rocks as I did with the sinularia. You should have a few good sized frags when you're done!

Are you sure that's a devil's hand? It sure looks like a type of finger leather to me, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11591687#post11591687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dsanfilippo Would you recommend doing anything to the water?? Carbon, additives, etc? I assume just putting the frags back in the display for growout is OK??

For that big of a job, I think I'd run some carbon. Just in case. Putting them back in the display is just fine. If you're doing the needle and thread method, they'll be just fine anywhere you want to put them, but I usually find a place on the sandbed that has a little less flow.

Let me know how it turns out!! I'd love a frag if you could spare one, just let me know!

 

[dsanfilippo]

Sounds good, not to hijack your thread...but I will post some progress pics when i decide to start. Hopefully i can buy some rock rubble tomorrow and get started...how many pieces do you think i can cut off the main piece at once?? I was thinking of doing one decent size cut off the mother and then splitting that into two or three smaller pieces. To minimize stress on the mother.

 

[jasert39]

great explanation, thanks a lot. Wish there were more posts like this one around this forum.

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592255#post11592255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dsanfilippo
how many pieces do you think i can cut off the main piece at once?? I was thinking of doing one decent size cut off the mother and then splitting that into two or three smaller pieces. To minimize stress on the mother.

You could cut the longer fingers off at near the base, then cut those up all the way up, kinda like cutting a sausage or loaf of bread, and each one of those would be a frag. Or, you could just attach the finger to a rock. You can literally cut them up as small as you want, and they'll all grow. Seriously, you probably could have as much as 100+ frags there; Is that a standard 120? If it is, those fingers have gotta be almost 16" long!

 

[Bkndsdl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592370#post11592370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasert39
great explanation, thanks a lot. Wish there were more posts like this one around this forum.

Jasert, thanks alot. I started this thread because I knew how hard it was for me to get info when I first started!

 

[dsanfilippo]

Yea...they are really, really big. I probably should have done this about 2 years ago.

 

[tanyashankles]

Are you sure that's a devil's hand? It sure looks like a type of finger leather to me, but I could be mistaken

No Im not sure of anything at this point That is what it said on the glass of the tank I bought if from in a little bitty local pet store. They are also selling me individual mushrooms for 1.00 a piece... I dont think they know much because other fish places say :eek1: :eek2: a buck a piece! Buy them and bring them to me and I will buy them from you! lol... So I will send a newer picture on here after while and you can tell me what you think. My pictures dont come out nearly as good as the ones on here that are lucky enough to have digital SLR cameras, but maybe it will be good enough to identify it. It is bigger and more extended fingers now....Thank you so much for all your help, I start my fragging TODAY!! YAY!! (poor coral doesnt know what its in for...:mixed:

 

[tanyashankles]

I did it!

I did it!

I did it everyone! YAY! *bowing* I have never seen my coral look quite so sad before though.. I was so scared to cut it because I felt guilty. But I did it. Split the whole thing at the fork, then cut 2 decent frags off of the smaller side so that the smaller side ended up a frag itself. But they look good, Im proud of myself. Now I want to go buy more corals so I can frag some more in the future. Anyway I have them on live rock rubble pieces and all of them inside a clear plastic container at the bottom of my DT. Is that right? Thank you for all your help! Tanya

 

[rbrusletto]

congrats on fragging!

this is an awesome thread for starters.. leathers are great for anyone just starting out... I dont use the fishing line trick(though I might, looks cool) I use the old rubble in a bin and let them attach themselves. I'm also currently using the wedding veil to attach a few pieces

 

[dsanfilippo]

Fragged mine today too...took off a decent sized finger on the opposite side from the previous pic. I did the fishing line method for it, but I didn't really think it worked out well for me...how tight does it need to be to the rock?? I really had a tough time trying to tie it somewhat snug with slimy hands and line. Is there a trick to it? The mother is already looking great though. When (IF??) this frag takes it should be really nice. Probably about 6" tall, with to good sized branches - and you can't even tell its missing from the mother...so that goes to show how big this mother is( ...pun intended) Thanks for everyones help. pics soon

 

[ridinfast03]

Good job guys on fragging for your first time.
Cutting leathers will release toxins in your tank though. Pick up a copy of calfos book of progation and you can read some more about it or on here as well. For larger systems it isn't as dangerous due to the larger water column but for small tanks you could have problems. Definately run some carbon for a couple of days afterwards if you are forced to cut in tank. Cabbage leathers can be deadly towards other specimens if the conditions are right. If anyone is near the indianapolis area I would be willing to trade leather for leather if interested. I cut about 15 frags and hope to have nice specimens in about 3 months.