Need tips on fragging a large frogspawn

[slojmn1]

I have this rather large, size of a small basketball, frogspawn. The shape is totally round just like a basketball with a flat base that is magically balanced on this rock. Once I take this coral off the rock to frag I'll never get it back like it is. I remember when I bought this coral it had basically no base. It was like someone broke it off right below all of the branches, inches from the flesh. So now it is huge and I am at a loss for how to frag or seperate this beast into parts. When it is shriveled up a bit it has easily 20-25 1"-2" diameter short, stubby branches. Like I said this puppy has grown. I would like to part it out a bit and make it somewhat more manageable in my tank and share the frags. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a shot of it a month or so ago,the brown one on the right. In this shot it is not fully expanded. It's even bigger when fully pumped.

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

It is a branching frogspawn right? Cant you just snap off a couple branches with multiple heads on each? Thats how Im gonna do my branching hammer.

Dennis

Alright....just re-read your post and doing it the way I said probably wont work since the branches are not long. Sorry!

Dennis

[ December 22, 2001: Message edited by: NaH2Ofreak ]</p>

 

[Carpentersreef]

Actually, you might be right, Dennis!
I was assuming that the polyps had all grown into one!

Mitch

 

[esmithiii]

Instead of using a dremel tool, you can use a pair of PVC cutters which you can find in your local hardware store.

E

 

[esmithiii]

Actually, let me clarify- the cutting tool I am referring to looks like a large set of wire cutters with a large chrome blade. They make some hand held pruning snips that work well too.

Ernie

 

[slojmn1]

Thanks everyone. It is a branching variety, it just looks like a real trick to get up inside of the branches to make any kind of clean cut.

esmithiii- the pruning shears or PVC cutters might work if I could get them between branches. Maybe I could start the cut from the outside with the dremel and get as deep as I can then use the shears or cutters to finish the job. This is going to be difficult at best. I need to get some of the lower branches off at least.

What is the best way to mount the frags since there is so little base? Stick what little base there is in some epoxy and attach to a rock?

 

[Carpentersreef]

slojmn1,
It is very tricky to frag a Euphyllia. You have to be very patient with it!
There are two steps to it:
The first step is to break or cut apart the skeleton only. Depending on the shape, there may be a location that it would be obvious to choose. Try a dremel-style tool with a cutting blade on it for cutting.
Second step:
Once you have the skeleton separated, the coral gets placed back into the aquarium, and you slowly separate the two halves, allowing the coral polyp to divide towards the two skeletons on it's own.
Of course, you have to watch for infection from underneath. Keep water flowing around it and predators away. The coral may die, otherwise.
I have never done it myself. I looked into it about a year ago, and after researching, decided not to divide my anchora (hammer).

Mitch

 

[esmithiii]

As far as mounting them, I don't have a good solution. Mine has fallen a couple of times. I wedge them in between a couple of rocks.

Ernie

 

[newreefman1]

wedging works well.

Epoxy is best I would suggest for a branching coral like frogspawn.

When your at HD go the plumbling section, get some aquamend. Its underwater plumbing epoxy and exactly.....the same stuff you buy at the LFS for 3 times as much. I always have a few tubes aaround and use it from everything from candycane fragging to montipora frags.
GL.

Esmtithiis pvc cutter is a good idea, those things are quite easy to use and will slice right through

 

[EnvironmentalWacko]

If there is sufficient current on and around the
coral and you are patient, it will 'frag' itself
because of the increased mobility.

 

[slojmn1]

EnvironmentalWacko- I am not sure what you mean by fragging itself. With to much curretn this coral will stay closed up. It has produced head after head and some new branches. It has not dropped any babies. The only way I see for it to get smaller is for me to make some cuts. Can you elaborate on what you mean?