How would you seperate these chalices?

[reefer916]

I bought this rock with the BGM and Alien Eye colonies about 4 weeks ago or so and want to seperate the colonies because the BGM is receding away from the Alien Eye. I just bought a Inland Db-100 saw, but have never cut a chalice before and need your guys help. How would you go about cutting these guys. I'm thinking of just cutting the Alien Eye colony completely off the rock. How would you guys do it. Appreciate the help...

Chris

 

[WRXgucci]

imo cut the rock directly in between the two chalices using your new band saw

 

[WWC Verified Sponsor]

imo cut the rock directly in between the two chalices using your new band saw

exactly!!!

 

[reefer916]

Thanks guys, that's what I was thinking, but the **** rock is several inches thick. Guess I'll go through my first blade today:)

 

[_Alex_]

Just let the saw do the work and dont force it, and maybe run the water a little heavier/faster

 

[reefer916]

Thanks.. I'll try to make sure I run extra saltwater while I'm cutting as well. Would you guys recommend me to fill an igloo with tank water and CoralRx for after I cut between the colonies? Just want to make sure that I don't lose them because they're literally growing into eachother and overlapping now. Do you think it'll be alright to dip a huge rock like that? It's at least 12 inches long and 8 inches wide and probably 7-8 inches thick. It has the BGM, Alien Eye, Mummy Eye colonies, several hundred Tubbs blue zoas, Galaxia coral, and two different acros attached to it. The guy had some GHA that I'd like to get rid of too.

Will dipping in Coral Rx with such a large piece of LR and corals cause any problems after I put it back in the tank?

 

[_Alex_]

coral rx wont hurt anything dip it, and then give it a good rinse in tank water should be fine i have nevre had a problem with coral rx

 

[reefer916]

Cool, thanks guys... Got permission from the wife to do the surgery tomorrow, while she takes the kids out. Inland Db-100, flying rock fragments, and a 2 and 3 year old hanging on my back during cutting probably wouldn't mix well...lol Appreciate the advice guys..

 

[BASA]

I do not have a band saw but I don’t think you want to run salt water through it. I believe you should run RO water with Alk in it. It is safe for the coral and for the band saw. Is there anyone that can confirm this?

 

[_Alex_]

There was post about that not long ago, and most agreed tank water is the best bet because put the least stress on coral. Just give a good rinse and run unsalted water threw it to clean it out.

 

[m and m]

The new band saw is plastic =) i love mine practically throw it in the dishwasher when im done. but it's fine you use SW with it just give it a good wash.

 

[Troylee]

Ya I had thread called bandsaw questions or advice... just search it here... Personally I don't think that bandsaw will cut through that huge rock... I had a similiar problem awhile back and I just placed a nice big flat head screw driver between the 2 and smacked it with a hammer it split the rock right in half.... I would try that before destroying your bandsaw...;)

 

[Troylee]

Btw I'm looking at my bandsaw right now and you can't get anything thicker than 3 to 4" in there....

 

[BASA]

I’ve seen people break the coral in half, hit it with a hammer and use a dremel on the coral being cut. All these methods used equipment that is easily and cheaply replaced and the corals all survived. Why run salt water through a very expensive piece of equipment when it is not necessary.

Just my .02

 

[barbianj]

You should use a tile saw and start the cut from the bottom.

 

[_Alex_]

I’ve seen people break the coral in half, hit it with a hammer and use a dremel on the coral being cut. All these methods used equipment that is easily and cheaply replaced and the corals all survived. Why run salt water through a very expensive piece of equipment when it is not necessary.

Just my .02

people have been doing it with no problems to the equipment. simply when you are done run some freshwater threw it to clean out the remaining salt. only thing diferent is the salt in the water. otherwise it runs water threw there anyway.. so just rinse it out good shouldnt be any problem. all the people i know personally use saltwaer on theres and have had no ill effects from it.

 

[Oiseau Reefer]

My friend uses his with saltwater every day with no problems yet and he's had it almost for a year

 

[Troylee]

I put my inland db100 together the other day and first thing it says is don't use salt water lol and recommends there much higher price saw meant for reef keeping.... Don't fall for that!!!!! I looked everything over and there is now way saltwater would hurt this machine any more than regular water... Everything is plastic besides the diamond blade and the motor which will never see water anyways.... I'm really comfortable using saltwater with mine fwiw.... I use hundreds of different machines a day at work I am a fabricator for a living so I know my equipment....

 

[CookieJar]

+1 on saltwater with DB100, I've always used saltwater and everyone I know uses saltwater with them. I do agree with Troy that the bandsaw isn't made nor capable of cutting through a rock that size. You'd need a tile saw. If you don't know someone who has one, maybe a tile contractor could cut if for you for a modest cost. I'd go the tile saw route since the chalices are expensive ones and I'd be fearful of rolling the dice on breaking the rock and hoping for the best.