Need suggestions please!

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

Hey guys,

I want to apologize up front that this is a bit of a repeat post. I am in a bit of a pinch here, and am in need of immediate guidance.

I have a coral that has been detaching a colony for over a month now, and I need suggestions on how to secure the baby colony down before it detaches and floats under my rocks.

I first spotted it when it looked like this.

Recently in the past week I would see it puffed up like this.

Today I came home and it looks like it is finally letting go. As you can see it looks like it has started to detach itself. The cord is thin and I do not believe it can retract anymore...

I placed a frag below it in hopes that it would attach but it did not

Any ideas?

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

Can I pull it out to help it along with tweezers or something? I do not know if that would cause stress or not. I feel like letting mother nature do its thing is the best idea I just would hate to have to rip the entire tank apart looking for it.

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

I would frag it and attach to a piece of rubble rock!! IMO

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

Use a Sharp blade to frag and gel crazy glue to stick it to a small rubble rock!! Hope that helps?
Try and do a clean cut rather than sawing at it to reduce damage to the tissue!

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

I'm sorry after cutting the small colony off use dip to Avoid any infections.

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

I have some fragging shears I could use to make it a quick cut, what do you think?

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

Should I cut it where it is ripping? Or should I cut it high or low to either coral?

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

I have bayer dip... Do you think that is ok? Or should I run to my LFS tonight and pick up some revive or something?

I also have Kent Marine Lugol's Solution Iodide supplement

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

Cut as close as you can from the "mother colony" as possible? So up high and sheers if not sharp enough will cause excess damage if it doesn't cut it in one shot!! Damaging the tissue and may stress the small colony too much! So a brand new blade will be easiest IMO!! Try and do as clean of a cut as you can?? Don't worry I have faith in you!! Post a pic after the job is done?

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

Here is my tools, anything better to use there?

You should have no faith in me I shake like a cold dog in the wet rain.

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

I use Seachem coral dip and it works fine but if that's what you have then that will do the trick remember fill a small container of tank water mixed with your dip use a turkey baster to rinse the newly cut frag then use another container with only Tank water to rinse again and it's done!! Ready for growth!! Or if your dip has different directions follow the directions on your brand of dip!!

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

If that scapel blade is real sharp use that!!

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

And don't worry after this you will be a master coral fragger!! Watch after this you may even start cutting up your other corals?? LoL J/K
But honestly believe it or not hard corals, soft corals are pretty tuff trust me as long as your water perameters are up to par your frags will heal and do great!!

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

Post after the job is done? Thanks and again I have faith in you!!

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

I cant do it. I am shakin too much and my hands are too big. Gotta wait for the wife to wake up, I am sure she will be thrilled lol.

mrcoffee2 · Oct 8, 2014

Its ripping more! Are you sure I should not cut it where it is tearing there?

Reefkeepr1986 · Oct 8, 2014

LoL put it this way pretend your cutting a small piece of butter to put on your bread that's how easy it is?? You gotta try it it's a good feeling when you know you just fragged your first coral!! If you don't feel comfortable I can respect that!! I wish I could physically help out!! I'm not trying to pressure you I apologize if it seemed like I was!!