Hammer Fragging Help

[MikeyZO]

I have a branching hammer coral that I think I could definately frag and get two or three two headed stalks that I could trade/sell. I was wondering if there were any MR members in the Suffolk County area that were experienced in fragging hammers that would be willing to come by my house one day and take a look at what I have and help/teach me how to frag them. If need be, I would be willing to pay or trade one of the frags for the "hands on" help.

 

[probe dms]

im looking to do the same with a frogspawn.... just post me some tips i can take it from there.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Low on the branch, pick a spot that is not fleshy and take a coral cutter and clip it.

 

[MikeyZO]

Lol yeah, but its SCARY when you've never done it before, Chief.

 

[Josh]

Just try not to shake it too hard as the coralites are sharp and can cut through the tissue if you move it around too much.

 

[KathyC]

...and make sure it is deflated if you move it out of the tank.
Best to try & keep the 'heads' submerged while doing this.

If it won't deflate (usually will if you gently touch it), then take your container, submerge it in your tank and put the frag into it while underwater. Then you can safely move it without tearing the tissue.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would do it in the tank. you should be able to do it no problem if you have a pair of coral cutters like Josh gets for us.

 

[MikeyZO]

How much are they and which Josh can I pm for them?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Josh

 

[probe dms]

can someone post some pics of a clipping. Video would be fresher but i cant seem to find anything on fragging frog spawns or hammers on youtube. There's some other interesting fragging going on in youtube though.

 

[masterswimmer]

Branching euphyllia's are one of the easiest things to frag. Like everyone said, get the polyps to retract. You can pick it up and hold it in front of a NOT TOO STRONG powerhead (no VorTech or Tunze on this). The polyps should retract.

Next, just take it out of the water and snap it closest to the 'trunk' of the branches. Most fragging shears are too small to get around the diameter of the branch anyway. They're great for sps though.

Take a bowl of tank water. After snapping the frag off, rinse it in the bowl of tank water. Return to tank. Enjoy your frag. Don't make more of it than it needs to be.

Easy as pie.

swimmer

 

[probe dms]

kool ill try it when i get some cutting tools

 

[MikeyZO]

well if the fragging shears are too small to get around it, what do you use to snap it? Two hands and brute strength? lol

 

[masterswimmer]

well if the fragging shears are too small to get around it, what do you use to snap it? Two hands and brute strength? lol

Well, yeah. If the calcerous skeleton is longer it makes it easier (leverage ).

If you want to do it mechanically, just buy a Dremel and a diamond encrusted cutoff wheel. That's basically a fail safe.

swimmer

 

[MikeyZO]

Yeah, I actually remember seeing you post that in another thread about cutting LPS I think. You even gave the dremel part number. What was it? Oh, and can I still cut the coral with the powertool underwater like Chief said? PRETTY PLEASE?! :lol:

 

[masterswimmer]

Yup, I'm sure I've posted it before.


As far as taking an electrical tool meant for using on land and then submerging it in water (while plugged in), I'm going to leave that one up to you. Or, maybe I shouldn't leave any question here. NO, DO NOT USE IT UNDERWATER!!!!!!!!

Thank you and have a nice day :biggrin:

swimmer

 

[KathyC]

well if the fragging shears are too small to get around it, what do you use to snap it? Two hands and brute strength? lol

As Russ said, if it's thin enough, yes..even I can snap them. :flirt:
If yours is wider you could score it with any sharp (clean) knife and then snap it so it breaks where you want it to.

I would do it in the tank. you should be able to do it no problem if you have a pair of coral cutters like Josh gets for us.

Well Chief...he said he wanted to frag them and sell them..hence the suggestion for how to remove it from the tank if it doesn't cooperate by deflating

 

[Phyl]

Pliers, wire cutters, chisel, ... they're easy to frag and difficult to hurt. Of all the things you could try to frag I can't think of many that are easier and pose less risk to the animal in question. Even the shavings that fracture off can in some cases contain enough flesh to start a whole new animal.

 

[Deanos]

Speaking about hammers, let us see your orange one, Phyl :flower:

 

[Phyl]

Ohhh. I'll take some pictures tonight... It is BEAUTIFUL!