My torch coral is getting WAY too big........

[SCIronMike]

It seems like every morning, I see a new mouth. Yeah, that's an exaggeration, but in my 29 gallon tank, this thing is taking up A LOT of room. Is there any way to safely "prune" the torch coral? How do you frag a torch coral?

 

[Will C1]

you could box it up and send it to me 8) i have plenty of room in my 90 for it :lol: . im not to sure but when you do frag it keep me in mind.

 

[StevenPro]

They are quite simple to frag. Just cut the skeleton below the tissue with diagonal pliers to remove a portion.

 

[ReefVan]

StevenPro,

Wouldn't using diagonal pliers, which pinch in order to cut, crush the skeleton and therefore be riskier for infection or damge to the coral. :?

Van 8)

 

[AWD]

www.garf.org

They have specific instructions on fragging the torch with pictures for your every move.

good luck

 

[StevenPro]

StevenPro,

Wouldn't using diagonal pliers, which pinch in order to cut, crush the skeleton and therefore be riskier for infection or damge to the coral. :?

Van 8)

We are not talking about cutting/crushing live tissue. Merely calcium carbonate. Diagonal pliers work very well for this.

 

[Anonymous]

Plus, what I'm thinking of when Steven says to use the pliers is to grasp firmly and bend til it snaps, not to literally crush the skeleton.

Steven, if I'm way off base let me know or..spank me! LOL! Sorry, you know I'm kidding around, yeah? (Just tell that to pulldownyourpants, huh?)

 

[StevenPro]

Seamaiden et al,
As far as actually cutting through the skeleton or snapping it off, either way works depending on the density of the skeleton. IME, most Euphyllia's are pretty easy to cut right through. I prefer this as it gives you better control of the break versus grabbing and snapping. It is really going to depend a lot on your particular animal, though.

 

[ReefVan]

StevenPro,

Thanks for the info, I too have a torch that's grown quite large and I would like to frag. Thanks again. :wink:

Van 8)