Sps frag removal from plug

[Saltgator]

Let's here some ideas on how you guys approach removing a encrusted frag from a plug. I usually only buy a encrusted frag or hold on placement on frags that are not encrusted on my rack. Just wanted some thoughts on yalls ideas.

 

[jackson6745]

I don't take it off the plug, I simply clip off the stem. An encrusted frag will quickly grow over the remaining frag disk onto the rock, leaving a natural look.

 

[joekool]

Ditto That's what I would do. Cut off the stem glue were you want it. I have and SPS that is growing right over it and you would never know there was a plug under it.

 

[MIKE NY]

same here.. I hate that unnatural look of corals on a pedestal

 

[Saltgator]

Thanks guys. Y'all just epoxy the plug (minus the stem) down?

Btw, don't forget pics too if ya got 'em!

 

[Velodog2]

If it's an encrusting coral such as a monti or porites that has grown over the edge of the plug then I will clip the stem and glue down the disk, usually with a combo of epoxy and superglue.

But any acros or the like I will always remove from the plug entirely. Slipping the edge of a blade under the edge of the encrustation is usually enough to pop the coral off the disk. ORA plugs I hate, but I can eventually get the coral off even with them. If there is encrustation remaining on the plug when I'm done I will put it up on a rack to regrow the frag.

 

[Saltgator]

If it's an encrusting coral such as a monti or porites that has grown over the edge of the plug then I will clip the stem and glue down the disk, usually with a combo of epoxy and superglue.

But any acros or the like I will always remove from the plug entirely. Slipping the edge of a blade under the edge of the encrustation is usually enough to pop the coral off the disk. ORA plugs I hate, but I can eventually get the coral off even with them. If there is encrustation remaining on the plug when I'm done I will put it up on a rack to regrow the frag.

I was thinking this as well, just wanted to stress the sticks as little as possible. Have any of your sps reacted poorly doing this (rtn,stn)?

 

[afernandez]

I allways take it off the original frag plug specially if it's an Sps .. For two reasons

1)I'm going to dip the coral to prevent anything from coming into my system.(there migh be eggs or other stuff I dint want on that plug )

2) I hate frag plugs. I rather use epoxy & glue to glue if on to the rock for a more natural look. Eventually it will encrust again and look even better on the rock.

Even ora frags get removed from plug for diping & I hate theirs frag plugs

 

[Velodog2]

I was thinking this as well, just wanted to stress the sticks as little as possible. Have any of your sps reacted poorly doing this (rtn,stn)?

<BR><BR>I've never had an adverse reaction. The frags have all been fairly well healed, and I typically let them acclimate in my system on the plug for at least a week before I remove and mount them. I dip them on the plug.&nbsp; I inspect the plug under magnification for eggs or bugs and scrape off anything suspicious.

 

[Saltgator]

I've never had an adverse reaction. The frags have all been fairly well healed, and I typically let them acclimate in my system on the plug for at least a week before I remove and mount them. I dip them on the plug. I inspect the plug under magnification for eggs or bugs and scrape off anything suspicious.

Thanks.

 

[creefer]

I allways take it off the original frag plug specially if it's an Sps .. For two reasons

1)I'm going to dip the coral to prevent anything from coming into my system.(there migh be eggs or other stuff I dint want on that plug )

2) I hate frag plugs. I rather use epoxy & glue to glue if on to the rock for a more natural look. Eventually it will encrust again and look even better on the rock.

Even ora frags get removed from plug for diping & I hate theirs frag plugs

I do the same as this for the same reasons. The only exception is montis that encrust over the edge of the plug. Usually, I've gotten montis on discs or tiles in which case I don't remove them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I leave them on to avoid any damage. Some specimens have removed themselves from plugs while other plugs have been covered with algae or coralline and blend in.

 

[blue.flyzz]

how are you all cutting the stems off?

 

[Fin]

I never put a frag plug in my display tank. I just don't like the look of them. I will pop the frag off of the plug if possible, or if it is encrusted, I will cut it off as close to the base as I can. Then I glue the frag onto my reef structure and place the trimmed plug in my frag rack. The encrusted plug will grow quickly and produce another frag to sell or trade. I use bone cutters to cut the frags off of the plugs.

 

[Aquaph8]

I allways take it off the original frag plug specially if it's an Sps .. For two reasons

1)I'm going to dip the coral to prevent anything from coming into my system.(there migh be eggs or other stuff I dint want on that plug )

2) I hate frag plugs. I rather use epoxy & glue to glue if on to the rock for a more natural look. Eventually it will encrust again and look even better on the rock.

Even ora frags get removed from plug for diping & I hate theirs frag plugs

I do this but I usually just grab the base of an acro with my bone cutters and pry it up, win some lose some but I like to get rid of other peoples plugs. If a plug goes in my tank it's gonna be mine. I can then inspect, dip and completely cover the base with super glue. Acros are tough, they can handle it.

 

[Saltgator]

I popped a few off last night. I tried 1 with epoxy, but I think my 2 part is old. The remaining ones were glued to rock rumble. I'll get pics tonight.

Great ideas y'all. Keep them coming. Don't forget pics!

 

[billrob71]

I will snap off the stem on all the ceramic plugs, the ORA plugs are a pain to cut, so usually drill a hole in the live rock with a big long masonry bit and glue the plug in the whole. This way the encrusted coral is not damaged and working the plug back and forth a little and it comes back out if you need to get it out. A big enough bit and it will mount almost flush with the rock.

 

[rossco]

Just give the ORA plug a squeeze with some channel lock pliers and the frag will pop right off/out. Don't do it over a tile floor.

 

[HumanMachine]

I use a dremmel and a diamond wheel for harder jobs, but otherwise the gentlest of twists to get SPS off their plugs

 

[DAS212]

Ive read that hitch hikers can imbed themselves in the plug and you should always remove even if you dip. This leads me to take all frag plugs off even if it may not be the best option for the sps piece I buy. Do any of you guys have experience with this?