how to frag a frogspawn?

[deansreef]

I have a 16 head huge frogspawn- it is affecting sps that that are near. I would like to frag off at least 4 heads but am unsure how to go about it.

Please help with suggestions.

Tks

Dean

[redox]

Dean can you remove it from the tank? Dean do you still have your dirt bike? me 450rcrf

[LockeOak]

If it has a branching growth form, get the heads to retract (either wait til after lights out or poke them gently) so you have a better idea of its structure. The flesh (usually pink) will only cover the last inch or two of the branch, below that is dead skeleton. This can be cut with bone cutters or even better a dremel without harming the coral, and that branch removed. Just get a good idea of the coral's skeleton and pick your place to attack. Removing it from the tank would probably make things easier if possible, but if you're just cutting through skeleton there's no reason it can't be done in the tank. A great guide with pictures:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/fotm/index.php

[ActinopteryGuy]

bone cutters work real nice

[CleveYank]

Tree Branching kind.

snap snap snap snap.

Just grab it and break the branches off with your hand as close to their main junction as you can. The need for cutters is very rare.

The really big ones or the type that are fuller and have a skeleton that is thicker and flesh is usually pinkish brown. You wrap the coral in bounty paper towels with flesh retracted. You make sure you can see where you want to separate it. You place this on an old but clean bath towel to pad the otherside. You grab an old large screwdriver or a square but sharp MASON chisel. Put on your safety glasses and take a hammer and you wack the lowest part of the skeleton where you want it to break about half as hard as you can hit it. It may take a couple of wacks. Once it cracks you carefully pull the two halves apart and if it looks like the flesh is holding I have used a razor to cut the flesh to keep from ripping the ends and finishing the separation. This works for hammer corals and others too.

[roblack]

I accidentally fragged mine when I dropped it on the floor as I was moving it from one tank to the other. All the heads are doing fine.

[deansreef]

thanks for all the help.

redox- yes the coral can be removed from the tank. And I have a rmz 250 suzuki.

[kawicivic]

also if its not branching i have heard you can use a rubber band to make the flesh separate and then cut down the middle once the flesh recedes.... never done it but its supposed to work well

[redox]

well cut the sucker then lets go riding