How to frag a zoa colony

[MACH5]

Guys I have a decent size Spiderman zoa colony that I'd like to frag. It's growing on a large rock so can't take it out. Knowing this how can I best take frags and what is the best tool for the job?

I appreciate any tips. Thanks so much!

 

[PolandSpring]

scalpal

 

[MACH5]

Ok. But do I cut them at the base or take a bit of rock out with them. BTW I have same exact tank as you do.

 

[KingLurker]

YouTube has how to guides.

 

[thirty5]

If you can get a screw driver in there and break off a piece of rock that would be the easiest. If you can pop a piece off then cut the mat where it attaches to the 2 pieces (if you break it off in the middle). You can use an exacto knife also.

I may be interested in a frag btw (depending on your location)

 

[MACH5]

YouTube has how to guides.

Thanks will take a look again but I only saw fragging a colony that was taken out of the aquarium.

 

[MACH5]

If you can get a screw driver in there and break off a piece of rock that would be the easiest. If you can pop a piece off then cut the mat where it attaches to the 2 pieces (if you break it off in the middle). You can use an exacto knife also.

I may be interested in a frag btw (depending on your location)

Ok thanks. Yes I was planning to use a screw driver but wanted to check with some of you guys first.

Ok will let you know as soon as they're ready. I will hopefully be making several frags with two to three polyps each. I am in northern NJ but can also meet someone specially if it's in NYC.

 

[thirty5]

Ok thanks. Yes I was planning to use a screw driver but wanted to check with some of you guys first.

Ok will let you know as soon as they're ready. I will hopefully be making several frags with two to three polyps each. I am in northern NJ but can also meet someone specially if it's in NYC.

Where in NNJ?

 

[MACH5]

PM sent

 

[chessmanmark]

Be careful with zoas. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. I find it easiest to use a chisel. I rock the chisel back and forth and chip off a piece of the rock with the zoas you want to peel off.

 

[nycfishy]

do you do the chiselling/breaking in the tank or pull the rock out and do it?

 

[greybolt03]

I use surgical steal scissors and just cut the rock that they are on right inside the tank

 

[Imbarrie]

I use a large xacto knife and slice some of the rock under the zoa. Then clean this part of the frag and use crazy glue to adhere to the new frag location.
I do this on a table with a tub of tank water on the side to place the frags into.
Zoas can remain out of water for quite some time as you frag them. If you fragged in the tank then you would have to track them down.
When you are finished place everything in the tub of tank water for maybe an hour and then back in the tank. Place the new frags in a low flow area until they start to heal. Maybe a week.
Wear some eye protection and rubber gloves if you have any cuts. Most important research palytoxin before you do this. Highly unlikely but I have read posts where people were messed up from this.