Fragging Chalice Corals With A Bandsaw

[64Ivy]

Is there a 'correct' method of fragging chalice corals with a bandsaw? Just got my first Gryphon and wondered if there were any tips or suggestions I should be aware of. Tia.

 

[RacinRevo0818]

Newbie here also! and just got my Gryphon in yesterday. Took advantage of the 10% off Aquarium Specialties was offering and was like sweet saving money!! Then just hopped on to Gryphon website and they are offering a free 2nd blade!! till oct 5. So my great deal turn into well at least I have a bandsaw now. As far as fragging chalices you want to make sure you have at least 1 eye on every frag or survival rate is almost 0 but possible I've heard. Use some kind of antiseptic dip, iodine, revive, just something. Just a personal recommendation would be to take the time and remove some of the exo skeleton so it doesn't sit 1/2 inch above the frag plug. I think I remember one of the sponsors saying you could remove it to about 1/4 inch. Then after its healed a little bit the putty around the chalice will be much easier. Not sure how much chalice experience you have but do your best to prevent the chalice from growing straight down as I have heard this slows growth tremendously. Best of luck and enjoy that fancy new saw!!

 

[64Ivy]

Just a personal recommendation would be to take the time and remove some of the exo skeleton so it doesn't sit 1/2 inch above the frag plug. I think I remember one of the sponsors saying you could remove it to about 1/4 inch. Then after its healed a little bit the putty around the chalice will be much easier. Not sure how much chalice experience you have but do your best to prevent the chalice from growing straight down as I have heard this slows growth tremendously.

Could you elaborate just a little more on this point, both points actually. Not sure I understand and I've already had my coffee.

 

[mainereefer]

when tyree came to speak to our reefclub, he said the best way to frag a chalice is to drop it and let it shatter like a dinner plate! thats how he did it

the only thing I would worry about is the flesh of corals dosnt like to be cut. when I use a saw I try to cit the back of the coral not all the way threw snap it and cut the flesh with a new razor blade

with the bansaw you can cut in between polyps on things like blastos,acans.... but make sure you hold the fresh cut in high flow for a min or so to clean all the dead slime off

 

[RacinRevo0818]

Here is a chalice plug and exoskeleton that I just trimmed. So by removing the extra it will grow into a dome instead of growing down the side of Skelton then frag plug. There's a lot of good info about mounting chalices from M and he owns aquatic obsessed.

 

[64Ivy]

I found the m&m thread from last year. Very informative. Unfortunately 95% of the accompanying photos have been subsequently deleted.

 

[mainereefer]

I use the fragplug to hold the chalice in place in the sand just bury the plug to the edge of the coral and it will grow across the sand