First time Fragging

[slipondajimmy]

I am looking to try my hand at fragging. I have a pretty hardy zoa (but very plain looking.) Do you thing this should be ok to try my hand at this? I dont want to kill it, but I would like to try.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z198/kitcarguy/101_0311.jpg

[JLopez]

well...these reproduce by budding so the only thing you could really do would be chisel maybe like 1/4 of the rock and then you'll have two pieces of rock with zoa's on them. i usually put these next to another rock i would like them to grow on and let them slowly start growing on the new rock. this process takes a long time. there are easier things to frag such as monti's, acro's, ect., where you just cut/break off a small piece and glue/epoxy it on to a new rock.

[RCS]

Take a razor blade and score the tissue between the polyps where you want to break it, then either use a small chisel and hammer or a rotary tool with a cutting wheel on it to break the rock. If you have a rotary tool, cut the rock from the bottom and then snap it.

Zoanthids are pretty hard to kill.

[77railer]

I use various methods...you can break the rock..or

1.) use a blade and peel the mat under the polyp so that the polyp and a small sliver of rock comes off letting you superglue it to a new rock...at first take some polyps from the outside edge usually I do 5 at a time...once you get used to it you can take polyps from the middle of your colonies allowing the inner polyps to experience new growth as well.

2.) The second method I use is rather drastic if I might say so myself but I have had minimal loss using this method and have done so on zoa/paly. Take a scissors like the ladies have in there manacure kits..the little shiny ones...and cut the heads off about half way down the stalk. Glue the heads onto a new rock...rinse both rocks and place back in the tank...The stalks without heads will grow new heads and the heads will grow new stalks...theoretically doubling your colony in one fragging...

I would allow at least a week for healing with method one..and 2-3 weeks for healing on method two...sounds crazy but it works.

Leroy

[BIGBIRD123]

When fragging Zoas or Palys, always wear eye protection for the toxins and gloves. These things can cause some serious problems.

Steve