How to frag this?

So, I have this pineapple tree coral that is growing insane. It is getting huge and I need to frag it. I'm really nervous about fragging, so I'm hoping you can give me some tips. And, once I frag it, how do I attach it to a piece of rubble? Any tips are greatly appreciated!!


This is about one half of the coral!!

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Its similar to a colt coral
I have fragged colt corals as follows

very sharp scissors , carpet ones are good as they will cut through something that thick
scalpel is OK but you want 1 clean cut and not a hacking method IMO

best cut outside of the reef if possible

cut the tree, where you want the frag to come from
rinse the mother colony in tank water, and then place back in tank
it will secrete fluids for a while, thats why cut is best done outside tank as this keeps amount in the tank reduced

the frag

with a small piece of rock, place the frag on the rock and then use bridal netting to secure the frag to the piece of rock
place that in area of low flow
give it 10 - 14 days and it will have secured itself to rock
remove bridal viel

alternative
push a cocktail stick or toothpick through the base of the frag
then using rubber bands, secure the cocktail stick to a rock either side of the attached frag

good luck

the 1st cut is the deepest

Rod Stewart

 

Can't get any better instructions than that KC.

I use rubberbands.

 

I think you just cut where ever you want to frag it at the stalk.

I could be wrong though, let someone else way in too.

 

Thanks so much for the detailed response Steve!! I'm so nervous. I think I'm worried about causing the coral pain. I think I might have to have the dude do the cut.

I'll get right on buying some bridal veil and super sharp scissors.

 

good luck
being decisive is key IMO, 1 single cut and its over
the mother coral heals pretty quickly IME
and when I have done Colt, Nepthea, Toadies, Finger leathers etc
the mother colony opens up within a very short time of being cut
and the frag may stay closed up for a day or so, but even before adhering itself to the rock, it will expand and open polyps

Steve

 

I've found that Pineapple are nearly indestructible. Should be an excellent beginner fragging confidence builder. Beautiful Pineapple BTW.

 

Thanks!! I absolutely love it - but it's just getting too huge and blocking light for other guys!

I was thinking this would be a good starter coral for fragging.

 

I'll be using Steve's directions to frag my colt. It's really getting out of hand.
Thanks KC for the thread and Steve for the answer. This is just what I needed!

 

These are excellent instructions. I've used all the methods Sir Wright has pointed out with success but I'd like to add this..
Make your cut like Steve instructed. Catch your cut and put it between 2 pieces of rubble or 2 shells. Hold it together and wrap a rubber band tightly around the rocks or shells. Drop it in a low flow area and forget about it for a couple weeks. Cut the rubber band with scissors and glue the rock/shell that the coral attached to anywhere it will do well in your system. I've done 3 this way and the cutting always attaches to just one rock.