How do keep track of your expensive "named" frags?

[ScottB]

So I crushed POTO's latest coral auction, winning every little stick I bid on (15).

When they are this size, their visual characteristics are not terribly distinct. A few are, but not distinct enough for me to memorize. Now they are going into a system with another 100 frags. Invariably they will get blown around and intermixed.

How do you manage/label/track your frags to maintain their identity and lineage?

I have some beautiful colonies that were once little 1" pieces but have no idea what their "names" are anymore.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

So I crushed POTO's latest coral auction, winning every little stick I bid on (15).

When they are this size, their visual characteristics are not terribly distinct. A few are, but not distinct enough for me to memorize. Now they are going into a system with another 100 frags. Invariably they will get blown around and intermixed.

How do you manage/label/track your frags to maintain their identity and lineage?

I have some beautiful colonies that were once little 1" pieces but have no idea what their "names" are anymore.

I have mapped out my aquascape then I write the name of the frag on the map. If I move the frag, I white it out and write the name in the new spot. For the most part I remember all of them, but occasionally I have to refer to the map. I have over 200 different pieces...

 

[Fish_Sticks]

I've been taking photos on new purchases, auto-uploaded to google photos, and renaming the photos with the name and date. Helps track the growth too.

 

[stephj03]

I have mapped out my aquascape then I write the name of the frag on the map. If I move the frag, I white it out and write the name in the new spot. For the most part I remember all of them, but occasionally I have to refer to the map. I have over 200 different pieces...

This. I'm still trying to find the time to do this but for now I keep a spreadsheet that has the name/source/position in tank and an example image.

 

[Tamberav]

So I crushed POTO's latest coral auction, winning every little stick I bid on (15).

When they are this size, their visual characteristics are not terribly distinct. A few are, but not distinct enough for me to memorize. Now they are going into a system with another 100 frags. Invariably they will get blown around and intermixed.

How do you manage/label/track your frags to maintain their identity and lineage?

I have some beautiful colonies that were once little 1" pieces but have no idea what their "names" are anymore.

You could put a number on the frag plug and then have a spreadsheet. At least for a frag tank.

 

[stephj03]

I also always request that sellers print names on the bags so I can take a picture with the bag next to each frag while dipping.

 

[ScottB]

Thank you. Yes, I do better when they are in my DT. These are going in my growout system which is a bit more chaotic and dynamic. Nothing is glued down, so every morning I have to pick frags off the tank bottom. The big tangs, snails, urchins and reefcrest mode all seem to contribute to the chaos. Add that to the fact that I have the memory of an average goldfish...

 

[stephj03]

Most of the time I can use the frag pic to figure out what's what for several mo. After that I expect the pieces to start looking like stock pics from google in order to stay in my stock list.

 

[tripdad]

How do you manage/label/track your frags to maintain their identity and lineage?

It's simple really, after they die/rtn I simply write the name on the skeleton with a sharpie. I ONLY seem to lose the expensive ones to RTN............:mad:.

 

[stephj03]

You could always start a photo thread for your grow out system

 

[ScottB]

You could put a number on the frag plug and then have a spreadsheet. At least for a frag tank.

This is what am likely going to settle on. Those sharpie markings don't seem to last forever on these ceramic plugs.

We used to get in Indo maricultured acro colonies that had metal, numbered "tags" glued to them. Just never wanted metal in my tanks.

 

[Amado]

I use a app (Aquarimate) it allows you to keep track of all your frags/ fish stock. It has pictures and information about the corals

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I use a app (Aquarimate) it allows you to keep track of all your frags/ fish stock. It has pictures and information about the corals

This is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I have them all memorized
But I only have 65-70 acros

 

[Daddy-o]

When I get new frags, I carve a 2 digit alpha/numeric code on the bottom of my frag discs with a Dremel and have a spreadsheet with dates/names/where they were acquired. Then I place them and dont touch 'em for months.

 

[ScottB]

Thanks everyone for the speedy and thoughtful input. Awesome community. I think I will blend a couple of these suggestions. Funny, I already have aquarimate and never used it.

I'll go with numbering the plugs and logging the associated names. However the sharpie marking won't work in this instance; POTO frag plugs are black. So I just ordered one of those silly label makers that produce an embossed label. Will just glue this to the underside of the plug.

Plus I will save a (probably crappy) photo log here for future reference.

 

[Tamberav]

This is what am likely going to settle on. Those sharpie markings don't seem to last forever on these ceramic plugs.

We used to get in Indo maricultured acro colonies that had metal, numbered "tags" glued to them. Just never wanted metal in my tanks.

These might work:

 

[ScottB]

When I get new frags, I carve a 2 digit alpha/numeric code on the bottom of my frag discs with a Dremel and have a spreadsheet with dates/names/where they were acquired. Then I place them and dont touch 'em for months.

That is pretty clever. I might give that a try.

 

[ScottB]

That is pretty clever. I might give that a try.

When I get new frags, I carve a 2 digit alpha/numeric code on the bottom of my frag discs with a Dremel and have a spreadsheet with dates/names/where they were acquired. Then I place them and dont touch 'em for months.

Battery on my Dremel no longer deciding to charge. Bought a junk unit few years ago and won't repeat.

Would love to know what Dremel bit you used for this tight work. I like the resulting texture this would achieve as it is lasting.

 

[Daddy-o]

I use carbide bits. Shape doesnt seem real important. I just drag across. Start with easy letters/numbers first, like F1