how to frag a spaghetti Leather?

[thomasp]

I have a large Spaghetti Leather with 4 main branches that I would like to frag. Does anyone have a procedure that I could follow. Specifically how do you mount the newly cut frags?

Thanks
Tom

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Just use a razor blade or I have actually used a large pair of scissors and made one clean cut.

 

[thomasp]

Rev that is the easy part. How do you stick the new frags to a rock or post?

 

[Tanked]

I use a needle and thread and sew them on to whatever. Another way is to get those food spears, put a small hole in whatever you are using as a mount and then put the spear through the leather and then glue the end that went through into the hole in the mount. As soon as it attaches you can break the remainder of the plastic sword/spear.

 

[condor]

push a tooth pic through the base about 1.5" up and rubberband it to a small rock but not too tight. if it is too tight it will kill the part of the leather below the tooth pick. i have been doing this way for years and it always works for me

 

[ReeferBen]

I usually just stick the frags in a little tupperware with some rubble at the bottom, cover the top with netting so they dont blow out. Usually in a few days they attach to some small rubble which can then be mounted with super glue on any thing.

 

[thomasp]

Those are some really good ideas. Now I need to work up the courage to cut!

Tom

 

[gparr]

Get the scissors out and cut it. You won't hurt it. The mother colony will heal up in a few days, assuming its healthy to begin with, has good flow, and quality water. Leathers are rather resilient.
Gary

 

[gflat65]

I think I've used everyone of those softie mounting methods. I've given up on the toothpick and rubble methods (unless smaller items and slimy items-rubble is my prefered method for that). For larger softies, these days I use two small rocks (golf ball size or smaller) and sandwich the frag between the two pieces and either glue the two rocks together or use a rubber band to hold them together. Rubberbands allow for the coral to expand, moving the rocks as it expands. Getting the tension too tight can kill the base, though, and you have to start over on the attachment. Under medium flow, they are usually full attached to at least one of the rocks within a week and a half.

 

[Christian]

If you havent already made the cut, and are reluctant to do so, try using one of those plastic zip ties. It will constrict the branch of gently, and will give the coral some time to react. This will also help prevent it from dumping a bunch of sinularia toxin into the tank. Most times, it doesnt matter if you get it in the tank, but sinularia toxin is actually one of the most potent toxins to fish, according to Borneman.

 

[Aquascaper]

I have to say that all of the above info is right on target!- Way to Go R2R!

scissors are better than a razor IF they are sterile- as the stress is usually quicker,,,
I personally prefer the sewing method or the rubble method in a separate container....
however, when sewing, I usually sew a button onto the bottom and then glue the button to a rock..

Borneman is right on, soft corals lack the aggressive stringing extension tentacle that most LPS have and therefore
their toxin needs to be concentrated in order to survive...
as a General Rule the shorter the stinging tentacle the more toxic. Example- the long tentacle nem has less of a sting than carpet nems, and a ricordea will but both to shame.....

Do Not Try This!!!
as a professional in the field for 20+years- it was a needful thing to invent ways to test different theories, when we didn't yet have the knowledge- or the internet....
Out of necessity I derived a way to test the health of nems by placing them against the tip of my tongue and *****
their health according to the strength of the sting...
Trust me on this one- a Ric Bites.....

 

[Christian]

Out of necessity I derived a way to test the health of nems by placing them against the tip of my tongue and *****
their health according to the strength of the sting...
Trust me on this one- a Ric Bites.....

LOL. We used to test that with different 'nems on the Oregon coast, trying to see what ones sting more.

 

[Aquascaper]

ROFL....I thought I was the only crazy on here LOL

 

[Christian]

He had a couple of guys that were trying to determine various species of coral by thier smell. Honestly. Once you smell a Rhodactis Indioensis when its cut...You will never, ever forget it. Its odd how all of the corals smell different too. You would think they all live in the same fishy water.....I know..this is a little off the deep end LOL:neutral: