So Kris dropped me a little PM convincing me to do a little write up of what I have had success doing in this hobby. In these write up I will cover 5 topics Propagation techniques I have had the best success with. I will split this into five diffrent posts because a good deal of thought will go into each one since I am very meticulous about what I do and how I do it and I think it does show in my growth and color.
With my help im going to help to show every one how I turn this
sss by matsinger2, on Flickr
Into this in a short time
IMG_9810 by matsinger2, on Flickr
First I will discuss coral propagation. I have a sweet tooth for two things in life. Good wines and high end coral in particular chalices. Now I don't sell for a profit or on a venders scale but I do sell to recoup. I dont mind spending good money on a nice chalice if I no in time ill be able to make at least a good deal of what I paid back. and this is how I do it.
Good Propagation starts on day one, Yes thats right before this coral even starts growing in our tank there is steps I take to make sure I start out on the right foot. All of these steps are past fundamentals of a reef tank. At this point I don't count rock solid parameters, good light,flow EXT that is a given. Many of us buy coral regardless of where it comes from and get a frag like this on the first day.
Tangerin Dreams by matsinger2, on Flickr
Most people might just take this and let it be. WRONGE! I have done that before people and trust me you are throwing away months if not years. Yes years. Look at how this is mounted this coral is going to have to grow down ledges in shaded spots every which way before it hits a flat surface to where it will really take off. When coral is flush I would feel safe saying it grows twice as fast. The first day I took a band saw to the bottom of it and mounted it flush to disk so it looks like this.
IMG_0424 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Now I feel this frag is set up for its best growth. Few tips for this.
- I personally like Reef Alternative disks the best out of any other brands and he is a sponsor here!
- Glue is Personal preference, I like the Ecotech just because Its bulk. 75ml not the 295ml
- Have caution when cutting under the chalice, I have learned if you cut the skeleton under the chalice the whole piece close to the skeleton will just peal away.
Part two of Propagation- The Putty technique
I do under stand some might not want to risk cutting under the chalice or heck you might not even have a band saw so how can I help you guys/girls? I must say I will cut under alot of coral but I do draw the line one some. Lets take this piece. It came in stressed out as could be, wasn't very happy. So after It was in the shade for a few weeks and felt it was time to start looking at how to get the best growth out of this weird cut I came up with this method. The putty technique, I use this when cutting under the chalice is not a option or I just dont want to risk it. SO it place putty around the frag for it to grow on a flat surface. I use just any putty and I found a fail thing at walmart and just push the putty around the frag and up under it if possible and then use it to flatten it out so it can grow smooth again. Here goes a few images show how I do that.
This is a top down of all my super low light corals
IMG_0479 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Here is a close up of one I did yesterday Remounted it and putty'd it on a new Alternative reef disk.
IMG_0477 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Just one more showing how you can get right up under there to give that coral a nice flat surface and slant down to the disk to grow on.
IMG_0476 by matsinger2, on Flickr
This is going to conclude just little things I do just to give them the best possible growth option in my opinion. Keep in mind you must find that "sweet spot" for corals which I will go over in another section and good parameters to even start these in my opinion. With out those your just going to laying the road for the coral to grow on but giving it no gas with un steady parameters.
Section two Sweet spotting and feeding your corals
With my help im going to help to show every one how I turn this
sss by matsinger2, on Flickr
Into this in a short time
IMG_9810 by matsinger2, on Flickr
First I will discuss coral propagation. I have a sweet tooth for two things in life. Good wines and high end coral in particular chalices. Now I don't sell for a profit or on a venders scale but I do sell to recoup. I dont mind spending good money on a nice chalice if I no in time ill be able to make at least a good deal of what I paid back. and this is how I do it.
Good Propagation starts on day one, Yes thats right before this coral even starts growing in our tank there is steps I take to make sure I start out on the right foot. All of these steps are past fundamentals of a reef tank. At this point I don't count rock solid parameters, good light,flow EXT that is a given. Many of us buy coral regardless of where it comes from and get a frag like this on the first day.
Tangerin Dreams by matsinger2, on Flickr
Most people might just take this and let it be. WRONGE! I have done that before people and trust me you are throwing away months if not years. Yes years. Look at how this is mounted this coral is going to have to grow down ledges in shaded spots every which way before it hits a flat surface to where it will really take off. When coral is flush I would feel safe saying it grows twice as fast. The first day I took a band saw to the bottom of it and mounted it flush to disk so it looks like this.
IMG_0424 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Now I feel this frag is set up for its best growth. Few tips for this.
- I personally like Reef Alternative disks the best out of any other brands and he is a sponsor here!
- Glue is Personal preference, I like the Ecotech just because Its bulk. 75ml not the 295ml
- Have caution when cutting under the chalice, I have learned if you cut the skeleton under the chalice the whole piece close to the skeleton will just peal away.
Part two of Propagation- The Putty technique
I do under stand some might not want to risk cutting under the chalice or heck you might not even have a band saw so how can I help you guys/girls? I must say I will cut under alot of coral but I do draw the line one some. Lets take this piece. It came in stressed out as could be, wasn't very happy. So after It was in the shade for a few weeks and felt it was time to start looking at how to get the best growth out of this weird cut I came up with this method. The putty technique, I use this when cutting under the chalice is not a option or I just dont want to risk it. SO it place putty around the frag for it to grow on a flat surface. I use just any putty and I found a fail thing at walmart and just push the putty around the frag and up under it if possible and then use it to flatten it out so it can grow smooth again. Here goes a few images show how I do that.
This is a top down of all my super low light corals
IMG_0479 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Here is a close up of one I did yesterday Remounted it and putty'd it on a new Alternative reef disk.
IMG_0477 by matsinger2, on Flickr
Just one more showing how you can get right up under there to give that coral a nice flat surface and slant down to the disk to grow on.
IMG_0476 by matsinger2, on Flickr
This is going to conclude just little things I do just to give them the best possible growth option in my opinion. Keep in mind you must find that "sweet spot" for corals which I will go over in another section and good parameters to even start these in my opinion. With out those your just going to laying the road for the coral to grow on but giving it no gas with un steady parameters.
Section two Sweet spotting and feeding your corals