Tutorial: Dremmel Fragging

[digitalreefer]

Starting your cut:
PUT ON SAFETY GOGGLES NOW
This is especially important if fragging zoanthids, as they contain a palytoxin strong enough even in small doses to kill a human. In addition, use gloves if you have any open cuts, hangnails, etc.

As per the original post.
Though I do agree... not being able to get drunk due to death would suck.

 

[LeslieS]

Fragging zoanthids is dangerous, period, no matter what method you use.

So I should stop with the zoanthid smoothies???

 

[jhale]

I can now say from personal experience that handling zoa's is no joke.

I was moving some tonga branch in my tank last week and grabbed a handful of paly's by accident. Right away I felt the paly's sting me and knew I had messed up pretty bad. The first thing I did was tell my friend I may be going to the emergency room, the second thing I did was call Herman and ask him how much time I had to call an ambulance. As I was speaking with him I felt the toxin move from my hand to my elbow. It was not a fun feeling. Fortunately that's as far as it got and I experienced none of the symptoms listed above.
I highly suggest if you are not experienced that you leave the fragging of zoa's to someone who knows what they are doing, like digitalreefer.
It's one way for sure to ruin the hobby by ending up in the hospital.

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

I don't in any way shape or form recomend doin this. But don't take my word for it but ask ronen guys. I fragged a few of his zoos. By simply peeling the whole mat off of the rock. It took time but there was no spray. Also the zoos were less stressed and opened within minutes. I just simply fragged as I peeled.

I bet cutting that rock removed the pleasant smell of baked apples.lol


ALSO PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DIGITALREEFERS PRECAUTIONS. If you are not experienced.

They can really kill you really no joke.

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

Oops forgot to say that you guys made a great tutorial.
This is very useful for people that don't know but now get an idea of how to frag.

 

[LeslieS]

So I should stop with the zoanthid smoothies???

OK, sorry for kidding around. They are very dangerous.

I do have to say that when I first started (June 2006) everyone told me, "oh zoas...they are easy to frag...a good thing to practice on....just peel them off the rock...make sure you wear safety glasses...make sure you wear gloves...just split the rock."

There was no mention of a mask, and no one was saying they were going to kill me if I didn't do a I was told. Maybe we should stop telling beginners that these are great things to put in their tanks if even handling them can cause problems?

How much of this is hype? I like that JH gave a first hand account. JH, how did it feel when it traveled up your arm and how did you know it stopped? What was the sensation? I would like to hear more of them. I would also like to see links to articles about the dangers of zoas. Let's be more scientific than my mother's friend's husband told me...

Is all of this new zoa damage a result of more people/beginners in the hobby? More equipment providing more stability = people putting their hands in the tank too much? More frag swaps = more zoa handling?

Read here to find out who wears gloves while working in their tank: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...you-always-wear-gloves-when-working-tank.html

A thread with zoa fragging advice from October: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/coral-farming/16825-frag-tool-kit.html

 

[aaron]

Jhale, This is getting a little off topic from the original tutorial, but I just Have to know - did the Palys sting you through your skin or did you have a cut or something to allow the toxin to get in? I always worked on the presuption that skin was a strong enough barrier to stop most stinging cells found in my aquarium, but maybe i'm wrong...?

 

[jhale]

aaron, it was through the skin.
I grabbed them pretty hard, it was a large rock I was moving and I was getting a good grip on it to lift it out of the water. There was no pain from the sting, just a numbness in the part of my hand under the thumb.
In effect it was like I had taken them and smashed them onto my hand.

 

[PalmTree]

Eric and Lisa.. Nice tutorial! I give you guys a lot of credit for taking the time out to show people what you know. I had no idea Zoas could be this hareful or even deadly to humans.

 

[Liz]

This was highly informative, thank you:Lissa and Eric for allowing us to share in your demo.
:skull: Zoas are cute but extremly dangerous and for those new to the "fragging" thang watch & learn before you attempt on your own. Product knowledge is very important.

 

[PalmTree]

This was highly informative, thank you:Lissa and Eric for allowing us to share in your demo.
:skull: Zoas are cute but extremly dangerous and for those new to the "fragging" thang watch & learn before you attempt on your own. Product knowledge is very important.

Amen to that!