Acans

Slodoc07 · Mar 14, 2018

What should I do with my Acans, they seem to be outgrowing their frag’s.

Mikedawg · Mar 14, 2018

Nice colors and look healthy although green one looks crowded. I would take them off the plugs and glue either on your rockwork or a piece of rubble. You want them to spread out and grow naturally (horizontal) rather than have them "crown" on a small plug for best appearance and health. Plus, you want them high enough that sand sifters won't cover them up.

Slodoc07 · Mar 14, 2018

Mikedawg said:
Nice colors and look healthy although green one looks crowded. I would take them off the plugs and glue either on your rockwork or a piece of rubble. You want them to spread out and grow naturally (horizontal) rather than have them "crown" on a small plug for best appearance and health. Plus, you want them high enough that sand sifters won't cover them up.

Thank you very much for the response. You’re exactly right, I would like them to grow horizontally. I have absolutely zero experience fragging. And recommendations or links you could point me towards?

Leadfooted · Mar 14, 2018

I'd keep them low, they look super healthy and happy. Maybe a place where they can crawl up if they want. Take the frag out and make sure you have gloves (I use nitrile). you need a clean, preferably new and stainless flat head and hammer. Lay frag on its side in a wide plastic dish and use the flat head and hammer to pop it off. Add a fairly heavy amount of some IC Gel or similar to the bottom. Gentle apply frag to coral and when the frag rest against your rock, do a slight 1/4 inch turn and hold that for the count of 10-15. Pray and slowly release

myzislow · Mar 14, 2018

Personally, I wouldn't bother trying to bust them off of discs they are already growing on. No point really in my opinion. I would either leave them be and let them figure it out because they look great, or just get a larger disc or tile and set them on that. If you leave them be they are not going to just keep growing upwards, as eventually the skeleton will spread out off of the disc and in time you will never see the disc again.

Slodoc07 · Mar 14, 2018

myzislow said:
Personally, I wouldn't bother trying to bust them off of discs they are already growing on. No point really in my opinion. I would either leave them be and let them figure it out because they look great, or just get a larger disc or tile and set them on that. If you leave them be they are not going to just keep growing upwards, as eventually the skeleton will spread out off of the disc and in time you will never see the disc again.

I think I will go that route. Taking a chisel to coral doesn’t sound like fun to me unless I had someone physically teach me Hahahaha.

I appreciate all of the comments and helpful advice. Thank you everyone!!

Mikedawg · Mar 14, 2018

Slodoc07 said:
Thank you very much for the response. You’re exactly right, I would like them to grow horizontally. I have absolutely zero experience fragging. And recommendations or links you could point me towards?

I usually use two pairs of pliers to break off pieces of the frag plug and most times the coral pops off. Or, an old scalpel or similar instrument can be used. CG from Ecotech works pretty well for me. If the coral doesn't pop off at least you've removed most of the plug and can simply glue the coral/plug to your rockwork. Try it; you probably won't hurt anything if you go slow.
Good luck.

FLAdaboy · Mar 14, 2018

If you put them on a frag tile, they will grow quicker. Your acans are very colorful.

Slodoc07 · Mar 14, 2018

FLAdaboy said:
If you put them on a frag tile, they will grow quicker. Your acans are very colorful.

Thank you!!! I will go the frag tile route. These frags are growing very fast. 4 months ago orange and purple had 3 heads and the green and purple only had two. It will be fun to see these grow into large colonies!!