Frag ID tag

[flowerseller]

In the beginning, it was easy to keep track of the frags I recieved from trades since there were so few.

 

Now a days, with the plethera of frags available for both trade and sale, it's gotten hard to remember who something came from and/or what it is.

 

I'm interested to hear what methods people are using to keep track of the individual frags.

More along the lines of a permenant "Frag ID tag" attached, inscribed, stamped, written or what ever.

 

No method is silly or stupid to mention in this discussion so please join in and share.

 

The edit:

I'm specifically looking for something to remain on the frag mount itself that a number or symbol can be added to identify it.

 

Here's a link for the same post on CMAS's site

Edited February 2, 2007 by flowerseller

[dbartco]

implanted micro"chips"!

[n8dogggg]

I'm actually really interested in finding this out as well. It'd be nice to tell people what frags I have in my tank instead of them telling me. Kinda sad when others can name more of my frags than I can!

[Eve]

I need to follow this thread :-) I don't have a clue as to what most of my corals are and I especially don't remember where I got most of them. There are a few memorable ones that I can say who I got it from, but as to what type of SPS they are, I don't know. I keep a log of what it was sold/given to me as and where I got a frag. So why don't I know? Some of the corals change colors after I put them in my tank (lighting/different salt?), many changed colors when I switched tanks, in other instances maybe a parameter changed (kalc reactor stopped working and it took some time to get things stable again w/2 part) and some started to STN so they've been fragged and started all over again, and then there's the problem of changing colors when I move them to the QT/frag tank :-( Some I think I can ID using a book like Corals of the World, but I'm still just guessing.

 

Chip - you know about flower tags - why can't you come up with a "frag tag" :-)

Edited February 2, 2007 by Eve

[HowardofNOVA]

I've been stumped on this one also, my past method of putting names on a board and throwing a dart at it to pulling name tags out of a fishbowl have out grown themselves!

 

Seriously, was thinking of printing out a B/W pics of my tank with the 3 angles and doing a simple arrow to this and that and from whom. Seems about the easiest way for me at the moment.

[flowerseller]

I'd really like to remember "WHO" it came from since a frag in or from my tank may grow into something different looking colorwise, PE and in growth pattern than in someone elses tank.

 

Keeping track of the name, date recieved, etc is also intended but can be done "off frag".

 

I just need a way to recognize the individual frag long term.

[Eve]

implanted micro"chips"!

 

We should figure out how to do something like that. Even a reef safe way of marking the bottom of the rock or plug that the coral is mounted on.

[ReeferMan]

One day i got bored at work and made a excel spread sheet of all my corals and whatever info liveaquaria had avialable on them. flow, light, feeding etc Needless to say I havent kept it up to date.

[jason the filter freak]

I've got a plan... maybe it's not what you're looking for just a thought though. Take a fairly high res camera and take a few pics of your tank where you can see all the corals. Then import each image individaully into a photo editing program, even MSpaint would work. Create number tags for each of your corals and place them next to or on your corals in your photos (make sure they're set for tranparency) <-- i think thats what it's called. Of course make the numbers easy to read (In terms of an inverse color of the coral or the surroundings, and size of font) then either make a ledgend on the photo it's self or in excel then store them in the same file. I'll attach an example in a min.

 

 

It won't let me attatch the full size image, but use your imagination and the above as kind of a starting point and go from there. There are a ton of ways it can be improved upon.

Edited February 2, 2007 by jason the filter freak

[flowerseller]

That's a fine idea and can be enhanced but,

 

I'm specifically looking for something to remain on the frag mount itself that a number or symbol can be added to identify it later.

By the time I mount it permantly, I better know or remember what it is.

 

Reason,

I have over 100 frags in grow out or that I've traded for.

The grow out requires me to move frags all over the frag tank or frag racks in both the frag tank or main tank.

This is because as frags grow, some can not be near others due to shadding, stinging or what not.

So I have to move them around as this happens.

A number or symbol on the frag mount itself is my only option.

 

Hence, a frag ID tag.

ex:

#69

 

In a log book or picture book, I could record:

#69

name, date acquired, size, from who, etc.

 

 

We should figure out how to do something like that. Even a reef safe way of marking the bottom of the rock or plug that the coral is mounted on.

 

I missed this but this it what I personally am after.

[steveoutlaw]

Would an engraver work on frag plugs?

[rsaavedra]

Would an engraver work on frag plugs?

 

I don't think so, I think the vibration produced by the engraver would crack the frag plug/disc.

[dzekunoi]

How about a diamond pen?

[rsarvis]

I don't know how much resistors cost, but they're tiny and come with colored stripes to show resistance. you could use several different resistances and just chart based on the color coding (use two or more if you have so many that you need exponentially more possibilities). i suppose they probably have bad stuff inside that might kill fish, though, i don't know.

[Leishman]

Only buy frags from me, and I'll LYK what they are

[Caribbean Jake]

LOL Rik

 

I keep a record/log of each transaction. This includes the day it was sold, trade or received; Also includes the name of the individual with whom the trade, exchange or sale took place; and the piece/frag type of coral or fish that was trade.. In the case where I receive the frag, after I place the frag in the tank, I make a notation of the location. I already have a diagram of the rock layout of my set up and can easily describe what frag was added, when/date it was added, and the name of the coral/fish added. It may be a little cumbersome but is easier than it sounds. For those who have been to my house, you have seen the three ring binder with the sections and notations. Anyone esle is more than welcome to come and take a look.

Jacob

[ChrisS]

If you want something to mark the rock how about using research fish tags. They're plastic, made to withstand ocean conditions, and come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and preprinted with numbers. The small disks could be glued to the frag disk or rock (underneath so they're hidden from sight). And you can keep a log with all the numbers and details.

 

Give me a bit and I'll see if I can find some sources for you.

[dhoch]

A picture and a log

 

Dave

[flowerseller]

If you want something to mark the rock how about using research fish tags. They're plastic, made to withstand ocean conditions, and come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and preprinted with numbers. The small disks could be glued to the frag disk or rock (underneath so they're hidden from sight). And you can keep a log with all the numbers and details.

 

Give me a bit and I'll see if I can find some sources for you.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Keep us posted

[ChrisS]

Here's a place that sells the fish tags. I think they mostly sell them in large lots of 100+ but it sounds like you'll need that many anyway. I have no idea how cost effective this is.

http://www.floytag.com/index.html

 

What about other types of plastic id tags? Livestock tags or cat/dog tags.

 

 

What about just painting numbers on the frag disks. There must be some type of paint that is reef safe.