proping plate

[Rob Top]

I have a long tentical plate that I want to prop. I have read it can be done with a dremal tool cut it in half and it will heal. Is this true, any advice? This guy is bright orange with purple tips, very cool looking, so I don't want to do this if it is risky.

 

[fishaddict]

Yup sounds right to me

 

[wade1]

Dremel is a mess! If you have a tile cutter, thats the easiest way to do it. But, just cut through the oral opening and you should be fine if the tank is clean and stable for the pieces.

BTW- The process does not smell good... don't do it in an unventilated space.

 

[Rob Top]

Through the oral plate...
Lenght or with wise?
Also heard/read to cut from the bottom

 

[wade1]

From what I have seen, as with anemones, if you cut with part of the oral tissue in the section, it won't be an issue at all which direction. I would guess that even without part of it, if it were large enough, that the coral would regrow itself just fine.

I believe Eric B. did a demonstration at MACNA where they hacked a plate to small squares with no regard to where the mouth was on the coral.

 

[Rob Top]

I believe Eric B. did a demonstration at MACNA where they hacked a plate to small squares with no regard to where the mouth was on the coral.

Maybe he will do it next weekend at IMAC. I guess I should wait and see. Bothe he and Calfo are doing coral prop workshops. Would be great to see it done before I try it myself.

 

[bleedingthought]

How long until the plate heals after you cut it?

And Rob, did you prop yours?

 

[Rob Top]

Nope, could not bring my self to do it. Look at Marine Depots forums for a Steven Pro artical on hard to prop LPS.Based on that I chose not too. Heal time it too long and risk to high.

 

[bleedingthought]

Thanks for the tip. It does seem like too high of a risk. It is the most expensive coral I have and was also a gift from the girlfriend and I would not want to lose it!

 

[bleedingthought]

Hmm, I'm really debating doing this to my green plate now (Orange plate is staying put). I want to use a wet tile saw to cut several (hopefully about 6-8) pie shaped frags out of it. I had hoped to use the thinnest blade possible, though. Anyone know where I could find really thin blades for wet tile saws?