Removing Coral from a Plug

olsinc · Mar 27, 2012

Hey Everyone,
I am at a Standstill and I am wanting to remove my Corals from their plugs and mount them on my Live rock. What would be the best way of doing this so I dont harm them in the process. I have Acans, Acros, Zoas, Polys, Hammerhead and a Bright Neon looking Coral with 1 head. (don't remember its name I think its something like Candy Cane) Thanks and I look forward to everyones response.

ritter6788 · Mar 27, 2012

It would depend on how well they are attached. If they are just freshly superglued to the plug then you can simply but carefully pull it off. If the corals are encrusted on the plug then it's harder to remove them. I usually trim the excess plug from around the coral with a pair of bone cutters and glue that down to the rock. Hammers, Candy Canes and such should come off a plug easily with bone cutters if you cut right where the plug meets the skeleton.

olsinc · Mar 27, 2012

ritter6788 said:
It would depend on how well they are attached. If they are just freshly superglued to the plug then you can simply but carefully pull it off. If the corals are encrusted on the plug then it's harder to remove them. I usually trim the excess plug from around the coral with a pair of bone cutters and glue that down to the rock. Hammers, Candy Canes and such should come off a plug easily with bone cutters if you cut right where the plug meets the skeleton.

Thanks for the tip. I have a Glaxia that usually pops itself out of the Skeleton. I have found quite a few before on the sand so I would just take them and place them in the crevices on the rock. They have really adapted pretty good to that method.