How to properly frag montipora capricornis.....?

[Mishap]

Hiya,

I'm relatively new to the site, but have been in the hobby for about a year. As I trolled the boards I was rather intimidated about posting just because everyone here seems to be experts. But I've run into a road block so hopefully someone can help me out.

I recently picked up a purple montipora capricornis. It's roughly 10" x 7" and I would like to frag it to share with my friends and to trade with others. But I have no idea how to frag it. I've fragged softies before, but never sps.

Is there more to it than just snapping pieces off?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

[corndogg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6662529#post6662529 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mishap
Is there more to it than just snapping pieces off?

Nope, just bust a peice off. Some "pros" use rotory tools like dremels or rotozip to make a clean cut but it is not necessary. I also found that I get a more natural growth when I just break off a peice.

[corndogg]

I will add that it is recommended that the coral be healthy and showing signs of growth before it is fragged. If you got it less than a month ago, I would wait a little while.

[Mishap]

I plan on waiting a while, but I'm just doin my research now.

Thanks for your help!

Matt

[Mishap]

Here's a pic of the mother colony

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/78075/monti.JPG

[goodfortune]

Nice piece :D!!!

As said above, you might want to wait a few weeks before you try to frag it, just to allow it to get used to being in your tank.

When your ready to frag it, just break pieces of it off. Corals are not as fragile as the first seem when it comes to fragging. If you want neater looking frags, you can use a large nail clipper that sort of looks like a pair of scissors. I bought the one I use from Wally-World for about $16.00.

Good luck!!!

- Michael

[gobygoby]

you could do it like I did....:(

while walking into your bathroom trip on the threshhold, let go of your large moni cap colony, allow it to smash on the bathroom tile floor.

VIOLA!

results may vary, but I got about 20 frags using this method...:rolleyes:

Goby

[Dan Thrash]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6703885#post6703885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gobygoby
you could do it like I did....:(

while walking into your bathroom trip on the threshhold, let go of your large moni cap colony, allow it to smash on the bathroom tile floor.

VIOLA!

results may vary, but I got about 20 frags using this method...:rolleyes:

Goby

haha, that is one of the funniest things i've heard.

[Mr. Ugly]

Bathroom floor... hehehe :)

Or my most recent method... remove branch rock with attached Tyree sky blue cap from the tank in order to trim the rock. Let the shock of the branch snapping break the nice leafy cap into 4 separate pieces :( Then say, "dangit dangit dangit!" over and over again.

Live rock avalanche is also a common method. Plus you get to frag your digitatas when you try to put stuff back in place :)

[prsnlty]

I just got a new frag about 4" x 2 1/2" and upon taking it out of the bag a nice ruffled 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" piece broke off. I don't have a plug to glue it to. Would it attach to a rock if I just place it there or should I find a small rock to glue it to? Here is a picture of it sitting next to the original piece.


http://http://reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=6180&pictureid=42561

[prsnlty]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=6180&pictureid=42561

[robvdv]

You might want to try mounting the frag sideways/edge up. I've found that if I glue the frag on the flat the opposite side to the glue will die off. If you glue it on the edge you also get a more interesting shape more quickly, plus it takes up less room on a crowded frag rack.

I typically break Montis with my fingers or use a regular side cutter to make the frags, depending on how tough the skeleton is.

[[email protected]]

while walking into your bathroom trip on the threshhold, let go of your large moni cap colony

I DO NOT want to know what you do in the bathroom with your montiporas! :hmm2:

Jeff

(Okay, yes I do. But I'm at work and it's likely NSFW...)

[prsnlty]

You might want to try mounting the frag sideways/edge up. I've found that if I glue the frag on the flat the opposite side to the glue will die off. If you glue it on the edge you also get a more interesting shape more quickly, plus it takes up less room on a crowded frag rack.

I typically break Montis with my fingers or use a regular side cutter to make the frags, depending on how tough the skeleton is.

Hmmmm for some reason my picture didn't show up... but that's okay you know what I am talking about, LOL. :thumbsup::thumbsup: Thank you! I hope they don't die on the other side of the glue cuz mine came glued dead center of it. Looks okay so far though. It looks like it broke off right next to the glue however.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6180&pictureid=42561

[sea witch1]

My broken pieces have grown like crazy...I think you will have tank accidents that look surprisenly like frags...lol

[prsnlty]

LOL, can't wait until mine do! What, if anything do you feed them?