Difficult Frag

[sen5241b]

The vids on youtube on how to frag a trumpet are useless in my situation. Each polyp is gorwing off one very short stem. If each polyp grew off a long stem it would be easy. I have the same issue with a blasto. Even with a flashlight it is very difficult to see where the stony part separates for each polyp? How do you frag something like this or do you? Anyone got experience?

 

 

[Jason Rhoads]

Interesting growth form!  You can cut the tissue with a razor blade, then cut the skeleton with bone cutters (or whatever else you have that works).  People use this method when fragging other "meaty" corals.  The tissue should heal up just fine provided it doesn't get infected.  

 

Full disclosure:  I have not tried this method yet, but have seen it on youtube.  

 

Good luck

[YHSublime]

I've done it like Jason recomened above with strong garden sheers and a razorblade.

[Origami]

After the scalpel, you can use a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel on it to cut deep grooves in the bone. Dip the coral in water to keep from getting too hot up around the tissue. Then, when you've got some good grooves cut, use a pair of bone cutters to snap the piece along the cut-line.

[zygote2k]

or just let it grow out and frag it when it has multiple growths....

[sen5241b]

After the scalpel, you can use a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel on it to cut deep grooves in the bone. Dip the coral in water to keep from getting too hot up around the tissue. Then, when you've got some good grooves cut, use a pair of bone cutters to snap the piece along the cut-line.

 

 

this sounds best. I am going to wait till the corals have shrunk way down at night and harass them with a baster so I can see the bone better. Perhaps a tiny hack saw could cut the bone. I am afraid sheers alone will cause it to fracture the wrong way.

[Origami]

Is there a reason why you're not waiting a little longer for it to branch a little more fully?

 

Sent from my phone

[davelin315]

Hammer drop method - hit it with a hammer or drop it on the floor.  If it's cracked the tissue should recede where it is broken and then you've got frags.  I've done this in the distant past and allowed it to heal itself (OK, sometimes I also simply ripped it apart, too).