Where the plug ends and the frag begins?

[ChrisW]

Can anyone tell me how to cut the plug off w/out damaging the frag? (other than that bandsaw) I've only bought a couple frags so far but Ive been reading posts like these for a month now and I am scared $#!tless about infecting my tank. And sure enough after further scrutinizing one of my plugs had this like hard white tube snaking around it up to the frag and I used tweezers an a razor to cut it off. I also have noticed this little translucent fan looking thing sticking out from what i think is the plug and not the frag. Im not fully even sure where the plug stops and the frag starts and its really confusing to me.
Thanks

 

[jolt]

The frag ends where coral flesh ends. If the frag is small I cut it off the plug with bone cutters. If its large I use the band saw.

 

[ChrisW]

So the porous square i see under the frag is part of the plug yea? I want to cut as much of that out as possible? Remount onto another plug or just someplace on the liverock, or is it just preference? And this doesnt damage the frag i take it. I actually have a pair of those cutters

 

[jolt]

I cut the frag off the old plug and discard the plug. Glue the frag to a fresh new plug. I guess some people epoxy the frag right to rock I don’t know. Yes it can damage the frag if you are not careful but it is a risk trade off in my opinion. Frag damage versus pest introduction.

 

[ChrisW]

Yea you’re right completely on that one. Thanks appreciate the advice

 

[Jl330]

Depending on how fresh it is, sometimes they pop right off.

 

[Billdogg]

Depending on how fresh it is, sometimes they pop right off.

^^^This^^^

Most frags (especially if not encrusted) will pop right off the plug. I use a flat tip screwdriver. If it is encrusted, either cut off the stem of the plug leaving the disc, or cut off the frag and put the plug with whatever growth remains into your frag tank to grow out into another (free) coral!