munching under zoos frag tutorial

[Frick-n-Frags]

OK here goes
1)frag tools. I will be using the nasty rusted diagonal cutters which I rinse thoroughly before and after use.
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo1.JPG


2) frag station. I really like having the sink. when fragging zoos, it is a good idea to rinse your hands and fragging surfaces to get rid of the zoo juice. I don't think these ones are full of Palytoxin(but I have some wicked ones) but why chance it. I assume they are all poisonous and treat them accordingly.
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo2.JPG

3)crappy pic due to the excessive reflection, but there are many small pieces of orange/brown zoo's that came off the main rock
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo3.JPG

4)the victim. I am going to get a piece off of the lower left corner there
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo4.JPG

5)here is where the "munch" is going to happen
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo5.JPG

6) OK after the munch, the "flap" of zoos and bit of rock is still attached by the zoo mat
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo6.JPG

7)zoomat has been cut and now I have a separate frag with no damage to the zoos. They will be open again in 10 minutes, and normally they don't spend the time it took for me to photo out of the water either. Usually it is out! bam cut! back in!
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo7.JPG

8) zoo rock after this latest piece has been removed.
http://www.rusynyk.com/coral/fragdemo8.JPG




I can also get individual polyps off. I use that stainless paring knife in pic #1 to grind under the mat into the rock with that.

hope this helps

[MikeS]

great post! :D

I'd caution all however, to wear latex exam gloves when working with any corals, esp. zoos...

Mike

[jman785]

As Mike has stated, there is an aritcle below, written by myself on coral toxicity.

http://www.coralforum.com/ftopic2053.html

[Frick-n-Frags]

I don't want to get into any big arguement here, but I wouldn't sacrifice the tactile advantage I have by wearing gloves. I would be concerned that poor tactile could lead to a knife or razor slipping (or the piece being worked on slipping)and cutting oneself more easily which WOULD inject a little ooze. Or not being as accurate during like singe polyp extractions and mangling the polyps more than they should have been. I'd like to see someone work hemostats with kitchen gloves on or grasp a tiny piece of rock that you can only secure steadily enough to extract a zoo polyp with your fingernails (which would probably cut the latex gloves anyway). I also think LR and worm tubes etc would quickly shred latex gloves anyway. OK, don't want to pick any more nits here.

I actually worry about juice getting squirted in my eye more than anything else. I have some shop safety glasses for when I take my regular glasses off. I'm super near sighted and I can see really well up close which is a risk of getting zoo juice in my eye. It is like working under a stereo microscope without the microscope which enables me to do some very fine work, but I have to get right into it. (Needless to say, I make sure I keep my mouth shut too :D) But I always have something in front of my eyes.
Also, I do not frag if I have any cuts on my hands and I rinse my hands frequently in the sink next to my frag station, but I really don't feel I should have to defend my techniques here any further.

I think the bottom line here is: If you folks think my thread is illustrating a technique that is deemed too dangerous or risky for this BB's common philosophies by actually showing bare handed handling of zoos, I have no problems removing it, or any other frag related posts because, frankly, I refuse to wear gloves when dealing with my reefing in any capacity and I refuse to tell people to do something that I'm unwilling to do. "See how I can hold this rock? Too bad you have to do it with gloves on." I don't think so. If you get stranges rashes etc, then wear gloves because you have to, because they are a real handicap IMO.

That's my personal philosophy, but I will respect the house philosophy and keep quiet about any further barehanded adventures if so desired.


?

[Zack]

Frick-n-Frags,
Everyone has there own of fragging and am very happy you showed yours. I think Mike was just pointing that gloves are worn to protect yourself and I kow many people who wear them and some that don't. When fragging some mushrroms and zoos, i just make sure my hands are cut free and very clean.

[gman0526]

Frick-n-Frags
TY very much for the great fraggin' demonstrations, they're very informative and a lot better than just step by step descriptions. And I agree on the tactile loss deal when wearing gloves, is just a pain not to be able to feel-up what your doing. Kinda like working in cold weather with gloves.

Keep those pics coming, I for one wanna see more and I'm sure there's a lot of people that wanna see them too.
BTW :chuggin:

[Frick-n-Frags]

So those pics are OK???

Zack, are those pics or similar ones to it OK for the article?

I just joined here and I don't want to start freaking everyone out or causing a ripple in the force, that's all.

thanks for everyone's honest feedback.

[Zack]

Those look great.

[Sugar Magnolia]

If you get stranges rashes etc, then wear gloves because you have to, because they are a real handicap IMO.


They are a real pain, but I eneded up purchasing a pair of those long rubber jobbies after I ended up at the doctors office with an unidentified rash on my forearms that had been in my brand new 7.5 gallon nano doing some aquascaping with some cured LR I had purchased. It took over a week to make the connection as to what caused the rash because I had been fine fiddling with my 7 gallon minibow for over 6 months. The culprit showed himself finally, after a week or so and as soon as I saw it I knew that is what casued the rash. Turns out I was quite allergic to the filter feeding cuke that hitch-hiked in on the rock. (Out he went...got himself a swirlie)

That being said...do I always wear them? No....Do I think everyone should? It's a matter of choice really.

Thanks for the pics Frick. People will do as they please when handling corals or dealing with their tanks.

Besides...doesn't everyone lick their zoos once and a while...just for the thrill of it? kidding people...just kidding!

[Frick-n-Frags]

:D

[cich1]

great demonstration Frick, a picture really is worth a thousand words when trying to explain something like that

[Zack]

Besides...doesn't everyone lick their zoos once and a while...just for the thrill of it? kidding people...just kidding!

Kidding?!?!? You mean people don't really do that? Kind of taste like chicken donj't you think? :ride:

[MikeS]

You have a point on the tactile loss when wearing gloves.

I suppose it's up to the individual on using gloves or not...personally I like to use them, and if you get the real tight fitting ones, I myself don't seem to notice that much tactile loss...

bottom line...whether or not you use gloves, excersize caution and common sense when working with corals, zoo's in particular... :D

Mike

[Zack]

real tight fitting ones

Are those like labratory type gloves? I have thought about getting those for zoos.

[MikeS]

Yeah, that's what I use, the real tight latex lab grade exam gloves....I have found I'm able to to pretty delicate work while wearing them....

Mike

[jman785]

Frick-N-Frags,

No argument started...I simply hold the toxicity higher, than most...and why not though? We are talking about your life and if they think, 4 micrograms can kill a human being, than this is a serious ordeal. But I do see your point, and should update my article to include your eyes...because I've been squirted a few times...never really thought about that though for some reason.

[icereefer]

Nice job freak n frag, But you do need to stress the toxin in zoa's, and other toxin critters
for one it's like. living all your life not knowing your allergic to bee's until it's too late. as for zoa fragging I know I found out while I'm fragging I need to keep good air movement around me as I frag for if doing it for a long period of time I get dizzy and my tough gets tingly for a day or so. with good air movement it does not happen.
and I know a lady here in town that had lots of nice coral tanks and one day cleaning and moving LR around like she did for years a bristle worm got her and put her in the hospital and all most lost 2 fingers.
so it's always good to stress safety as handling any thing in ones tank.
Icereefer

[Condiman]

Excellent work and keep up the good work. I am always happy to hear when hobbiests are fragging there own corals instead of always depending on wild caught specimens.

[nanoman123]

That was a GREAT POST. VERY HELPFUL for me. THANK YOU :D

after i read that i just fragged some zoos again :) lol.



~Matt~

[Frick-n-Frags]

hey acereefer :D it's Frick-n-Frags :D

[icereefer]

sorry,,,, :roll: brick-n- frags.. :lol:
acereefer. :lol:

[jman785]

:lol:

[Frick-n-Frags]

OK, pics are back

[Frick-n-Frags]

housecleaning on the site is dangerous.