The type of question you'd expect from a rookie

[poorrichandy]

Ok, so I am in the process of building a 29 gallon reef aquarium. I actually am just waiting on the live rock and then the grueling month or so of cycling after that. Anyway, I've had a freshwater planted aquarium for about 5 years and that is where this question is coming from. In my freshwater aquarium when my plants would get to big, I would just trim them back. What do you do with corals? I know their living creatures, so what if I get a particular coral that takes over half of my tank, or I have mushrooms that cover my rocks or something like that. Do you guys just cut some of it back? Do you take it out completely and get something else? I know with all the different types of corals out there, there are probably different technics for different corals, but I was just wanting some advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[hwynboy]

GOOD LUCK...there are lots of good info here.

 

[danch]

The term is 'fragging'

 

[Conky]

Yes...pruning will be necessary over time. Basically, that involves cutting or fragmentation of the corals. Techniques are very similar (scissors, razor blades, hemostats for soft corals; dremel, chisel, hammer for hard corals), but attachment strategies differ a bit with soft corals. Reefkeeping magazine has started a series (by Greg Hiller) going over some of these techniques for different corals...it's a good place to start.

 

[lakwriter]

If you're just starting your tank, it will likely be a while before you really have to start fragging your corals, unless you're buying them really big to begin with. I'm sure you can find a reefer (or maybe even your LFS) that would be interested in buying some of your unneeded frags.

 

[Harbour]

Think long and hard before adding any mushrooms! They are cheap and a great way to add color but they multiply at an alarming rate.

In my opinion, once you have mushrooms - you have mushrooms for life.

Once you cut them the base will grow another. Even when you think you have it all mysteriously another appears.

Yes, I like mushrooms, I have a ton of purples, just wish I could contain them!

In reefing things that are cheap are cheap for a reason. It usually means they multiply like crazy thus driving the price down.

Think about what you want your tank to look like in 10 years and start today.

Just my thoughts and the milage will vary with others.

Harbour

 

[poorrichandy]

Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[techigirl78]

I'm not too fond of my mushrooms anymore either. Same applies to some capanella that I had that constantly spawned off new babies everywhere. I have found many less issues with ricordia. Also, with other species, you can try different containment methods. Like placing xenia high in the tank or not putting green star polyps (gsp) or yellow polyps on your main rock structure.