Coral Fragging Techniques: SPS, LPS, Soft Corals
Fragging is the gateway to coral trading + commerce. A $50 frag becomes 4-8 frags over a year if you propagate it - each worth $30-50.
Tools you need
- Bone cutters (for SPS) - $20
- Tile saw (for chalice + LPS) - $80
- Frag plugs - $0.50 each (buy 100-pack)
- Cyanoacrylate gel superglue + accelerator - $10
- Coral epoxy putty (Aquastik) - $15
- Iodine + container for dipping - $10
- Holding tank + clean saltwater
SPS fragging (Acropora, Montipora)
1) Snip a 1-2" branch with bone cutters perpendicular to growth direction. 2) Rinse in clean tank water. 3) Glue base to frag plug with cyanoacrylate gel. 4) Hold 30 sec, apply accelerator if not setting. 5) Place frag rack in low-flow location.
Recovery: full polyp extension in 3-7 days. Encrusting onto plug in 2-3 weeks.
Euphyllia + LPS fragging (advanced)
Hammer, frogspawn, torch: use a Dremel rotary tool with diamond blade. Cut between heads while coral is HALF-extended (more tissue protection than fully retracted). Cut on a piece of tile or in a holding container with tank water - never dry.
Recovery: 4-8 weeks for tissue regrowth. Place in dim, low-flow area for 2 weeks post-frag.
Zoanthid + mushroom fragging
Easiest. Razor blade + cutting board. Slice off 2-3 polyps with a chunk of base substrate. Glue substrate piece directly to frag plug. Done in 60 sec/frag.
For mushrooms: cut radially through center - both halves grow into full mushrooms over 4-6 weeks.
Leather coral fragging
Use SHARP scissors (not dull bone cutters - leather corals slough). Cut a 1-2" segment off the edge of the parent. Tie to a frag plug with sewing thread - the new frag attaches in 2-3 weeks. Glue does NOT work on slimy leather flesh.
Coral dip protocol
Always dip new frags AND your own propagated frags before adding to display. Solutions: CoralRx, Bayer Advanced (best for AEFW), Two Little Fishies ReVive. 5-15 min dip, agitate, blast with turkey baster to dislodge pests.
Mounting: glue vs epoxy
Cyanoacrylate gel superglue: instant bond, works underwater. Best for: SPS, LPS, frag plug attaching. Coral epoxy (Aquastik, Marco Rocks): moldable putty, hardens in 30 min underwater. Best for: large colony placement on rocks. Use both - glue for fast initial bond, epoxy for permanent bulk.
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