Fragging chalice

[ahammer]

Out of all coral I am least successful fragging chalices. What do you do for successful chalice frags? I have used bandsaw, bone cutters, and razor blade. I always seem to lose more than I can keep. I dip in some iodine after I frag.

 

[hybridazn]

I always use a band saw when fragging. Try not to cut directly thru eyes, and skip the iodine dip afterwards. Just put them back in the tank after fragging and let them heal

 

[ahammer]

I've done that plenty and they just rot away over a week or so and die.

 

[ahammer]

How big of frags do you do?

 

[hybridazn]

I've made single eye frags to mini colonies. Never had a loss after cutting.

 

[hybridazn]

What band saw have you used?

 

[ahammer]

Interesting. It may in fact be my band saw I use a diamond blade on a lowes brand band saw it works with everything else just fine. Do you use a gryphon or inland? I may need to invest in one. I have seen many videos utilizing those saws without issues.

Edit- I appreciate all of your input and assistance. Thank you

 

[hybridazn]

I use an inland. This may sound dumb but are you using saltwater from your tank when cutting with the band saw?

 

[ahammer]

My blade doesn't utilize water while cutting so it is more of a dry cut. I just checked out inland site and if you take a read under "reduced heat transfer yields more viable frags" I believe to have found my issues as they specifically address chalice coral

 

[aresangel]

So drip water while cutting to reduce heat then? I have a scroll saw will that work/be fine?

 

[tupes]

Heat can play a big part in the loss of your corals. I have an inland and don't believe I have lost any healthy chalices when fragging. This is the biggest issue with using a dremel and diamond blade. *heat* best of luck on future fragging. Keep us posted.

 

[kevonstl]

i'm about to frag my chalice too........will let u how it go....my first time fragging on monti didn't go well.....colony die and only 3 frags made it

 

[tupes]

@kevonstl what did you use to frag it?

 

[kevonstl]

gryphone saw but i used ro water and i think monti don't like it.......most people used tank water and don't have a problem. some using ro water but majority people used tank water. I lost a whole high end monti colony

 

[tupes]

Band saw is a good start. I would definitely use saltwater. Please keep us posted on the chalice.

 

[tupes]

So drip water while cutting to reduce heat then? I have a scroll saw will that work/be fine?

I have a inland and have never had any issues. Both the inland and gryphon utilize a small water reservoir that drips water as you cut. Your issue I can almost guarantee was the heat caused from the friction of the blade. Would recommend spending the couple $100 on an inland or gryphon saw. . I hope this helps.

 

[tupes]

Lastly. From time to tone people even sell used one for a good deal.

 

[aresangel]

I went to a fellow Reefer and he dragged it up for me on his band saw. Super easy. The one thing he told me and I saw first hand @kevonstl is to pull extra tank water to soak them in. He did an iodine dip before placing it in about 3-4 gallons of water. There is A LOT of slime so be sure to rinse. I had all of my frags make it (7frags) about 1/2"x3/4" each.
A couple of mine healing over below.