Anyone else prefer frags that AREN'T encrusted?

[TylerHaworth]

So I just butchered a few really nice looking large Acro frags trying to move them from plugs to the rocks, and I think I have solidified my stance that unencrusted frags are just superior. A quick pop with a blade and ready for glue wins for me instead of having to use bone cutters and watching pieces fly all over the place. Maybe I should buy a saw...

I'm hoping the damage will heal, but oh boy did things get messy this evening.

 

[exnisstech]

I won't buy frags unless they are encrusting. I've had poor luck with fresh cut frags. I've grown a couple of new frags from tiny little pieces left behind on the plug when I popped the coral off to mount it. Sometimes I'll cut the stem and mount the plug, I just depends on the coral and where I'll be gluing it down.

 

[TylerHaworth]

Over the years I've had about the same success rate with the initial shipping/acclimation of encrusted vs not, maybe because I have purchased from excellent sources or maybe just dumb luck.

When it comes time to mount, though, I've definitely had more casualties from heavily encrusted pieces than those barely encrusted or not at all.

 

[KrisReef]

Over the years I've had about the same success rate with the initial shipping/acclimation of encrusted vs not, maybe because I have purchased from excellent sources or maybe just dumb luck.

When it comes time to mount, though, I've definitely had more casualties from heavily encrusted pieces than those barely encrusted or not at all.

Having a saw that can cut the plug top in half, perpendicular to the plug and parallel to the spreading encrustment is the nicest thing to own (or have access to) when nicely encrusted acro's show up in the mail.

Busting up encrusted frag trying to pry them off a plug always reminds me of divorce court. Rarely an amicable outcome and the kids always suffer.

 

[DmitryB]

It wouldn't be so bad if they used nicer looking plugs so you keep the flat head.

 

[exnisstech]

It wouldn't be so bad if they used nicer looking plugs so you keep the flat head.

Once they grow I find the plugs aren't even visible. Just takes a little luck and patience.

These are all on plugs glued to the rocks.

 

[DmitryB]

It wouldn't be so bad if they used nicer looking plugs so you keep the flat head.

Once they grow I find the plugs aren't even visible. Just takes a little luck and patience.

These are all on plugs glued to the rocks.

What's the blue coral?

 

[exnisstech]

@DmitryB
#2? I'm pretty sure that's an acro berry from battle corals. Im terrible with remembering names.

 

[13rodo]

I used to feel the same and always looked to pop them off frags. Recently I have started enjoying some encrusting and leaving them on the plug. The one thing I do try and do (if possible) is rough up the edges of the plug so it isn’t so obviously round.

 

[NeutronMan]

Leave them on the plug and use some Tunze coral gum to mount to the rocks. They’ll encrust right over the plug…

If you can, you can use a small hole saw to drill holes in the rocks and just stick the plug right into the hole. This lets you easily move frags around if they aren’t happy where you put them.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Why not cut it off the plug, plant it and place the encrusted plug elsewhere as insurance? I don't bother taking them off the plug anyway. Sometimes I cut the base from the plug, but often I don't even bother with that.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm not bothered if a frag is encrusted or not. Usually, the coral just grows bigger than the plug, and you don't notice it anymore.

 

[fishface NJ]

I prefer encrusted acros. I cut them off at the base. I don't know if there are pests underneath. The encrusted leftover stays in the QT

 

[JBNY]

I just leave them on the plug base, they are easier to mount and have less issues in the long run, when it grows you can't see the plug anymore anyway.

 

[etcee]

I've changed my stance and only buy XL frags now which generally have already encrusted most the frag plug. tired of paying top dollar for dinky little frags. Would rather buy 1 nice L/XL frag than multiple small frags. Once the coral grows enough you don't see the plug anyways.

 

[Jimbo]

Encrusted has always been better for me

 

[jackintheboxfish]

I have heard the argument of encrusted frags are more prone to pests because the edge of the encrusting tissue is where they lay eggs.

That being said freshly cut frags have higher mortality rates ime so I consider it a trade off

 

[Nerdist Aquarist]

If I'm buying from vendors I trust like Battlecorals, WWC or Top Shelf I'll just cut the stem and glue down the plug. Anything from a local fish store I always cut off the frag and reglue to a brand new plug.