Is it necessary to use coral dip?

[aquariumrescueunit]

Hello everybody, I'm no newbie to reef keeping anymore, but I am a newbie to fragging my own corals. Is it necessary to use an iodine dip or coral dip of some sort when fragging a coral? I know it's kill pests and diseases but if I am fragging something that's been in my tank for a while and I know there are no pest or diseases is this necessary? If so what kind should I use and also what type of glue works best? Thanks y'all -aquariumrescueunit

 

[Robthorn]

I personally never have and have never felt I needed too. Normally in a week or two the cuts are healed or very close to it.

 

[Robthorn]

I like thickened black super glue. It doesn't last but looks better than normal super glue.

 

[DFW]

My fragging is mostly acropora, and occasionally euphylia. I never use iodine dip, but it might be a good thing to stave off potential infection at the site of the cut. I use gel super glue for mounting acros to ceramic plugs, and also for mounting hammers, and frogspawn to larger tile plugs. I find that applying the gel to the plug, and waiting 30 minutes before gluing acro frag to the plug allows the glue to stiffen to consistency where the coral will stay in position better. I immediately place the frag under tank water after sticking it in the glue so the coral is not damaged, and so the glue sets faster. Leave the coral fragments under water until time to adhere to plug. Just touch end of coral to be glued to a dry cloth to dry before gluing.

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

Cool! I think I may start trying my first frags soon. Any idea where I could get a scalpel other than the internet (like walmart or something) ?

 

[DFW]

Cool! I think I may start trying my first frags soon. Any idea where I could get a scalpel other than the internet (like walmart or something) ?

Maybe Hobby Lobby has an Exacto knife, and scalpel blades to fit it? What are you cutting?

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

Just lookin to mess around and try to frag some soft corals buttons, zoas, Xenia etc

 

[ReeferBean]

Zoas I will use an iodine dip. Acros etc I won't.

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

Is there something about zoas that's different that needs the dip like the toxins in them?

 

[kschweer]

Is there something about zoas that's different that needs the dip like the toxins in them?

In my experience the iodine dip is more to clean the cut in the flesh of the zoas to prevent bacteria and infection to the cut.

 

[moulton712]

It's a must. Help the coral heal better by cleaning. We want these corals to thrive, or your in the hobby for the wrong reasons. This is why "we" are getting flack from non aquarist. Yes we are trying to propagate, but we don't gointo surgery ourselves without cleaning via antibacterial soaps and iodine. When ever you open the flesh of a coral there can be germs and bacteria at the site that will get introduced. Better care is needed to help our hobby thrive. You clean your tanks, you clean your rocks, you do water changes, why not clean your corals? Simple I think. Dip is less than 10 bucks.

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

I'll get some dip for sure then cause I like to go all out and do everything the right way thanks for the advice

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

Cut my first 3 frags today out of my green button polyps, got a blade at michaels and super glue gel, and it's been about 10 hours since I cut the frags and they are already open! So is the mother coral I fragged off of
Here's a shot

 

[DFW]

Keep the slime out of your eyes, ears, nose, open cuts because it is very toxic stuff! And they can squirt you in the eye sometimes, too.

 

[ritter6788]

There is no dip in the ocean and coral are constantly being fragged there. Our tanks certainly don't compare to the ocean but if your tank is healthy and you are propagating aquacultured livestock there is no need for an extra dip. It's possibly just another added stressor IMO. Dips for pest removal are a must though.