First fragging attempt and things noone ever tells you

[ngilbert]

I got ambitious this weekend. I'd been staring at some of my shrooms and zoas (easiest to frag right? Simple as riding a bike) for awhile now, and I have a rocks I'd like to spread some around on. OK.

Got everything set up. The first group of shrooms I got out had one practically falling off the side. Everyone says to find the stem and gently pull up on it to remove the polyp. This shroom has the thickest stems known to mankind. I did get the one off and did frag it. We'll see how it goes. Went after another one from a different group and thought I had it's stem, but apparently not because I got guts all over me and the towel I was working on, but there was one little perfect pea sized shroom that came out of nowhere that I mounted too. Used the string method to get them on the frag discs since they kept floating out of any container I put them in. By the next day I was hunting wayward pieces and going to bridal veil. And on top of that, nobody ever told me I had ten thumbs! (my mother reminded me that I never could tie my shoes.

The zoas I got some rock off with and glued , but a few still came undone (I think my sea hare ran them over. Have managed to find all but two. I'm learning quick it seems. I don't think I'll put the next batch into the main tank.

[hangles]

It sounds like my first attempt :p but it gets easy the more you do it . I use super glue gel for my zoo's. and you got the right idea for the shroons. bridal veil works great for alot of the softies. let them attach themselfs.

Harold

[MarineFishGuy]

Even using the Super Glue GEL, I still have some Zooas that get loose.

I now have zooas in a few random places in my tank I can't reach. Oh well, they seem to be doing OK.

I think zooas work best if you can get the entire mat to come off the rock. Then they are more likely to stay on the plug.

Shrooms are just messy, especially when you go to cut them with the razor. I like to do thirds and leave the mouth fully intact on one of them.

I agree, bridal veil works the best for these softies.

Don't forget, the February 22nd CORA meeting is a Fragging Workshop. It should be a great time with an opportunity to frag several different types of corals.

I haven't fragged any SPS yet, so I am super excited.

[icu2]

I recently fragged my orange yuma and used my dremel w/ a diamond wheel to cut the foot a bit; I let it heal a week and now I have a baby orange yuma! Usually though with mushrooms all I do is cut the top off. Stem grows a new top and top grows a new stem. Other ways work as well- just depends on how many you want.

[cl2ysta1]

i have fragged quite a few sps now by dropping them in my tank and having pieces break off. Or by accidentaly smacking them and breaking them. ;) I would really like to get a pair of actual nippers though!

[ngilbert]

Those shrooms sure can slime you. Makes it hard to work with gloves, and I work at a lab and have some that fit really well. I'm hoping the lost frags will show up some day. How long do I leave the veil on the other frags? Can they grow around it? (And my frags did come off with the superglue and they even had a rock base on them. There's always next time. Although my husband is complaining that there's lots to do in the tank right now so I don't have to keep getting new ideas and stuff. ( I do believe obsesses was the wording used)
seems like most of the time it's the other way around. Maybe if I get my camera out I'll post some shots. Although I think I'll be rearranging things this weekend. (Did just get a wonderful sailfin tang who has taken to the tank beautifully and seems to have a great personality. My son wants a little green goby, so I'll have to have Phishy PM me when they get one in. (Hey it doesn't take up a lot of space.....)

[ngilbert]

Oh I forgot, I havent had the nerve yet to go after any of the yumas. My devil's hand fragged itself. And my HUMONGOUS tree leather does too. I'll probably have to slowly pinch some of it's branches off eventually since it's so big, but it looks good and hosts my clowns. The clowns are constantly laying eggs too so they have to be happy.