Moving Frag/Mini Colonies

[Isoprene]

I have recently bought a few colonies that are encrusted from my LFS, about 2 months ago. Everything is doing good however they came on these bulk square plugs. Ill post pics. My question is can I or should I for the sake of looking WAY more natural in my tank cut these colonies at the very base (basically pop them off the plugs) and reglue them to the rock? Will this slow growth? Can it kill a colony? Is it worth it? Any advice, comments, or opinions here is welcomed. Im sort of new when it comes to the sps side of reefing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Isoprene]

anyone?

 

[classklown90]

You should be fine doing that. It will.slow growth a bit because the coral will most likely try to encrust again rather than growing upward. The plus to doing this is that the encrusted mat that's left on the tiles will grow into frags for you.

 

[Isoprene]

I think i might try it tonight, any advice on how/where to cut them?

 

[classklown90]

As close to the base as you can

 

[Isoprene]

thanks

 

[ritter6788]

Keep the tile you when you are done and the remaining coral base will grow into another colony.

 

[mc-cro]

I usually just break it off. Its not a big deal. superglue the broken end into a piece of rubble, and you can move that rubble around until you find a happy place.

 

[Isoprene]

alright cool thanks guys. Dont know if im going to try it tonight...had a few ice teas. Tomorrow ill take some pics maybe or whatever post em

 

[MattL22]

I would not do that the coral looks happy now cut it and u can wait another 3-6 months just for it to encrust !
Eventually the coral will totally encrust the plug and u won't see it at all

 

[JMSKI333]

Did you ever think of just cutting the plug instead? You can make it any shape you want with a diamond bit dremel or maybe even some bone cutters.

 

[BCT182]

Use a dremel and make the squares round but imperfect. When the coral completely encrusts it will look like part of the liverock.

 

[Zack]

Ya, don't cut it off. Like they said just let it cover the tile or cut the tile down a little. You definitely don't want to have to wait for it to encrust again! Once it covers the tile you will never know

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