coral propagation

[marshalrckman]

Hello to all---as most know i am seting up a new 10 gall.i thought i was just gonna put some damsels in it but ever since i started fragging corals its got me wanting to make it a coral propagation tank---i have a H.O.T magnum-150 or 200 gph and some alright lighting-i already took a tupper ware bowl cut the bottom out of it and trimmed smaller pieces of live rock to go in the holes-when everything is good il probably start some xenia colt and zoo frags on em.any commentators?

[newtofish]

Sounds like a nice little start up system. Should do good. I have always wanted to do that just did not have the room. Good idea with the tupperware bowl. Post pics when you get a chance.

[marshalrckman]

Thx-its kinda to keep thevoracious hermits off them--found 1 zoo polyp looked like something bored right through it-assuming it was them.Had some kinda rash on my arm from where some zoo fluid got on it-juss a lil red one.I think coral propagation is good way to save money and in turn git money-the LFS said for small fraggs they would give me 10$saves them money too?

[Condiman]

I am so happy to see more reefers are fragmenting there own corals.

[marshalrckman]

Its a good way to learn about anatomy of corals---i look at my sself as a scientist kinda-in the manner that your keeping a balanced ecosystem with living things and when you start fragging i look at it as a kinda science project what works better-what doesnt-you see what im saying.

[MoonSoft]

I have neaver really wanted to "frag" zoo's for the simple fact some of them can contain deadly alkaloids that are released if you tear of cut the flesh.

[marshalrckman]

yea they do you just have to be careful about what you touch afterwards

[icereefer]

I have been fraggin zoa's and my other corals for a while now ,and I make sure I keep a clean area with lots of fresh water and use surgical gloves.
and I have never had any "sdie aefftcs". :w00t: lol

[marshalrckman]

before i always scrub my hands w/ extremly hot water and afterwards with hand sanitizer and soap--you mean the kind of gloves that you git at the dr.'s office?

[MoonSoft]

i'll stick to fraggin SPS i find it easier and more rewarding, although i found a few pretty good methods of softy propagation, with pretty astounding results. But again i dont like tp spill their mucus into the tank i find it pretty damaging unless you baby the frags in a separate system, you'd be surprised what one fresh cut in a softy can do to your system!!!!!

[marshalrckman]

i dint cut them in the system-i use a tupperware bowl w/ some tank water before i make any cuts or crunches.And i NEVER EVER put the water back in the tank!Thats just askin for it.

[icereefer]

I think Moonsoft is talking about while there healing.
and alot of my softies just drop pieces off and those are the ones I frag. and my zoa's I usually chip a piece of my rock from the colony,and frag them that way.and my ricordea's I have put them under the knife before, but I let them heal in a little prop tank I have. I use a little 2 gal hex tank.