Frag plugs or disk... weigh in

[christy.alm]

I have been buying corals on frag plugs and disk and overall they are ok but there are times when i find them nothing more than a nuisance. I bought a frag for my decorator crab and he has ignored it and was not on a plug so I glued it to a rock and I love the looks so much more.. TO PLUG OR NOT TO PLUG THAT IS THE QUESTION...

 

[Mr.Rocc]

I hate both! I can handle plugs for my zoas to start like a flower pot look but not a disc!

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Depending on the coral, I like small disks. I always cut the stem off of plugs. That said, I also have a good bit of rubble rock that I use as plugs too.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I rubble.
I also sand dollar.

 

[christy.alm]

How do you take them off the plugs though, would it not damage the corals?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Depends on the frag. Sps are easy. I try to never buy encrusted frags. It's a qt no no. And yes I leave flesh on the disk and toss it. Zoas and softies are generally easy.

 

[tigé21v]

I also sand dollar.

Awesome idea!!
Do you use store-bought?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Awesome idea!!
Do you use store-bought?

Both yes. Make sure the store bought ones don't have a glaze on them

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

How do you take them off the plugs though, would it not damage the corals?

If we can't get the coral off the plug we just use scissors to cut the bottom off and then glue the disk to the rock.

 

[tigé21v]

Both yes. Make sure the store bought ones don't have a glaze on them

Aren't the store bought bleached?
Do you soak them in Prime before use?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Aren't the store bought bleached?
Do you soak them in Prime before use?

Bleach will not stay in anything long term. Even around the house if you rinse well and put them in the sun the chlorine degrades completely

So no. No prime no nothing just a rinse. Most appear to be sand blasted or tumbled and then bleached. Some will have a glaze added and I avoid them because I don't know what it is and I want the surface to be porous for corals and and corraline. Like live rock.