Coral Fragging Techniques: SPS, LPS, Soft Corals
Fragging is the gateway to coral trading + commerce. A $50 frag becomes 4-8 frags over a year if you propagate it - each worth $30-50.
Tools you need
- Bone cutters (for SPS) - $20
- Tile saw (for chalice + LPS) - $80
- Frag plugs - $0.50 each (buy 100-pack)
- Cyanoacrylate gel superglue + accelerator - $10
- Coral epoxy putty (Aquastik) - $15
- Iodine + container for dipping - $10
- Holding tank + clean saltwater
SPS fragging (Acropora, Montipora)
1) Snip a 1-2" branch with bone cutters perpendicular to growth direction. 2) Rinse in clean tank water. 3) Glue base to frag plug with cyanoacrylate gel. 4) Hold 30 sec, apply accelerator if not setting. 5) Place frag rack in low-flow location.
Recovery: full polyp extension in 3-7 days. Encrusting onto plug in 2-3 weeks.
Euphyllia + LPS fragging (advanced)
Hammer, frogspawn, torch: use a Dremel rotary tool with diamond blade. Cut between heads while coral is HALF-extended (more tissue protection than fully retracted). Cut on a piece of tile or in a holding container with tank water - never dry.
Recovery: 4-8 weeks for tissue regrowth. Place in dim, low-flow area for 2 weeks post-frag.
Zoanthid + mushroom fragging
Easiest. Razor blade + cutting board. Slice off 2-3 polyps with a chunk of base substrate. Glue substrate piece directly to frag plug. Done in 60 sec/frag.
For mushrooms: cut radially through center - both halves grow into full mushrooms over 4-6 weeks.
Leather coral fragging
Use SHARP scissors (not dull bone cutters - leather corals slough). Cut a 1-2" segment off the edge of the parent. Tie to a frag plug with sewing thread - the new frag attaches in 2-3 weeks. Glue does NOT work on slimy leather flesh.
Coral dip protocol
Always dip new frags AND your own propagated frags before adding to display. Solutions: CoralRx, Bayer Advanced (best for AEFW), Two Little Fishies ReVive. 5-15 min dip, agitate, blast with turkey baster to dislodge pests.
Mounting: glue vs epoxy
Cyanoacrylate gel superglue: instant bond, works underwater. Best for: SPS, LPS, frag plug attaching. Coral epoxy (Aquastik, Marco Rocks): moldable putty, hardens in 30 min underwater. Best for: large colony placement on rocks. Use both - glue for fast initial bond, epoxy for permanent bulk.
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Aquarium-keeping fundamentals
Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.
Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.
Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.
Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.
Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.
What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.
How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.
Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.
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