new coral frags plug

[DS5000]

is it common practice to remove the new coral from the plug? or just glue the coral with the plug directly onto the rock? - I have been cutting the plug down flat and then placing on rock - but not sure if instead I should be removing the coral from the plug entirely
thx

 

[ScubaFish802]

You can leave the whole plug, grind it down as much as you want, or remove from the plug completely. There is no "right" way in my opinion

 

[Pistol Peet]

Most people off to remove them just for the aesthetic look of it or if there is any Pastor parasites hitchhiker's so to speak on the frag plug removing it helps to not contaminate your tank I agree though there is no wrong or white right way of doing it. @802 scuba fish is correct

 

[Mike from TN]

I personally don’t like to see the plugs in the DT but sometimes you have no choice. I ordered a bag of coralline purple plugs that should be here tomorrow. Should blend in nicer with the live rock and I know they won’t have any hitchhikers on them.

 

[scabbedwings616]

I grow my corals out on tiles or the plug depending on where they are going in my tank. i also have a frag tank that I like to grow them out before I add them to the display tank. It all depends on what you want and what you are doing.

 

[DS5000]

thanks everyone.

whats the easiest way to remove the plug?

 

[leighla wolf]

thanks everyone.

whats the easiest way to remove the plug?

Depends on whether it’s a hard or soft coral but usually something like a flathead screwdriver (for harder corals) or a razor blade (for softer) should do. I always remove mine from plugs because plugs can harbor ick and pests. I then dip the individual coral frags and then reglue them to new plugs. (You can always leave a few plugs in your sump or back end of the display tank if you want the plug to be more seasoned looking... or you could do the same with coral rubble and then fit those tiny rubble pieces right into your rockwork for a more natural look.