Cutting Tool to Remove Skeleton
- Thread starter beth
- Start date
rangermonroe
Member
Dremel and its myriad cousins are very good for detail work. They have bits for engraving and also "rotozip" blades that may be what your looking for. Spiral Saw bits is what they are called, I think. I bought them at lowes. I thinka aluminum oxide bit would work well (green) or a diamond (silver) but they are pricey ($10-20 each)
Dremel even makes a 12v rechargeable drill for about $20
Dremel even makes a 12v rechargeable drill for about $20
Here is the problem. I was out of town this summer for a week away on business. During that time, my tank was being taken care of but my pectina fell over unto some giant hairy mushrooms; and went unnoticed. All the tips where burned off. The flesh did not grow back as I hoped they might. Instead they started to grow colonies of algae. I decided to try to do some repair.
If you look at my avatar, you will see how it looked, pre-accident.
Now, here it is. Already, I have tried snapping off a few dead tips to see if I can get some regrowth going. You can see where the white areas are is where I made the manual break-offs. I plan to do more but will see what happens with these tips first.
If you look at my avatar, you will see how it looked, pre-accident.
Now, here it is. Already, I have tried snapping off a few dead tips to see if I can get some regrowth going. You can see where the white areas are is where I made the manual break-offs. I plan to do more but will see what happens with these tips first.
rangermonroe
Member
So the coral polysp wont "sting " that algae away?
I hav ethe same problem witha brain coral. A/C wnet outand a nipping anglefish damaged it badly. I have been nursing it back to health, but I have this red crap that grows on the exposed portion of the skeleton. I use a brush to remove it when it gets tooo big, but I wonered if the algae is holding it back.
I hav ethe same problem witha brain coral. A/C wnet outand a nipping anglefish damaged it badly. I have been nursing it back to health, but I have this red crap that grows on the exposed portion of the skeleton. I use a brush to remove it when it gets tooo big, but I wonered if the algae is holding it back.
Yes, the algae will definately keep it from developing regrowth. I've seen a branch that was so dead it was black but now has some growth coming on it, but there was no algae taking over on that branch. It is located on the underside of the coral where there is little light exposure.
I thing if I can surgerically take the skeleton down to the fleshy parts, then I will likely be able to get fresh growth to return to the branches.
I thing if I can surgerically take the skeleton down to the fleshy parts, then I will likely be able to get fresh growth to return to the branches.
squidd
Active Member
I have a Spiny Pectina that's doing/did the same thing...(no "stinging",came from the LFS as slightly damaged...
Mines a "thinner" variety than yours, But I just used diagonal cutting pliers to "nip" the tips down...
Otherwise I think the Dremel is "the" tool for this sort of thing...a little "carbide" or diamond cutter should make quick work of the "thicker" sections...
Mines a "thinner" variety than yours, But I just used diagonal cutting pliers to "nip" the tips down...
Otherwise I think the Dremel is "the" tool for this sort of thing...a little "carbide" or diamond cutter should make quick work of the "thicker" sections...
I was wondering about that. Didn't think of superglue. Actually I thought of petroleum jelly [neosporian], the petroleum acting as a barrier and the nesporian providing some antiseptic relief. But wasn't sure if that would be appropriate. So far, I have left the few that I snipped off with my fingers without anything. I don't plan to to do this all at once because I don't want to shock the coral.
You have a picture of your pectina you could post? These are pretty variable for light tolerance. Mine prefers a lower light. When I first got it, I had to sheild it from the light because the tips where burning . You think the flesh will grow over the glue? My goal or "hope" is complete restoration.
Thanks guys!
You have a picture of your pectina you could post? These are pretty variable for light tolerance. Mine prefers a lower light. When I first got it, I had to sheild it from the light because the tips where burning . You think the flesh will grow over the glue? My goal or "hope" is complete restoration.
Thanks guys!
squidd
Active Member
Yeah, "something" like that...cept I have more the Hardware store varity...
(I'll get some before and after pics up shortly here...)
Actually, here's the "before"...
(WOW, you know how many pictures I have to go through to find what I want....??:scared: ...Time to do some "editing" and shuffleing")
(I'll get some before and after pics up shortly here...)
Actually, here's the "before"...
(WOW, you know how many pictures I have to go through to find what I want....??:scared: ...Time to do some "editing" and shuffleing")
Yeah, I'm trying to make up folders to be a bit more organized, but I'm not a very organized person, sooooo.....
You can get bone shears at the hardware store? LOL Are you talking about wire stripers?
That specimen you have there looks the same or very similiar to mine. These start out kinda wasted, then fatten up as they acclimate to the environnent. At least that is what happened to mine. They are pretty delicated. You have to find the right spot for them to make them happy.
NMReef also got one recently.
You can get bone shears at the hardware store? LOL Are you talking about wire stripers?
That specimen you have there looks the same or very similiar to mine. These start out kinda wasted, then fatten up as they acclimate to the environnent. At least that is what happened to mine. They are pretty delicated. You have to find the right spot for them to make them happy.
NMReef also got one recently.