fragging star polyps

[nanocuber7]

i have had my star polyps for about 4 months now and it has breen growing like a weed. i would like to frag it and put some frag around my tank but i have never done this before and i need some help.

 

[jobob]

the best way is to place a rock next to the mother and let it grow on the new rock. then cut it from the mother and move.

 

[rangermonroe]

Yep, that's just how I did it.

 

[thegrog]

I have several rocks around my colony to keep it in check and keep it from taking over the rest of my tank. When it grows on the new rocks, I cut it from the mother colony and replace the rock. Selling the new colony back the the LFS makes it semi-profitable as well!!

 

[scotts]

Can you remove the polyp rock from your tank? If so then take it out, use a razor blade in a box cutter to cut the polyp. You should be able to pull the polyp from the rock. Then use super glue gel on the bottom of the polyp and the rock that you want to attach it to. Of course make sure that you are guling the bottom part of your frag. It helps if the rock and the frag part are dry. Just use a towel to dry off the underside of the frag. Once you have done the first one you will see how easy it is. Plus you get the fun of removing the superglue from your fingers for the rest of the day.
Scott

 

[slowest is fastest]

Like scotts said if you feel like playing in super glue gel (I like it ) and you can get a few pieces loose from the rock then put them into a bowl of tank water

 

[slowest is fastest]

Take a piece of rubble rock and lightly dry it with a towel. I decided to make a combo rock so I also selected three different pieces (cabbage leather, zoos, star polyps)

 

[slowest is fastest]

Put a little glue on the rock and on the underside of the frag. Place the frags onto the rock. I also had to trim the star polyps to fit the center of the rock.

 

[slowest is fastest]

Replace the frag back into the tank. Sorry for the crappy pic. Here it is just after putting it back into the tank.

 

[slowest is fastest]

Here it is from above...the same way it was on the towel.

 

[slowest is fastest]

A little later from the front (and a better pic)

 

[slowest is fastest]

After awhile it is easy to go overboard. Here is the center of one of my frag tanks. The combo is in the middle.

 

[slowest is fastest]

Setting a rock next to the star polyps will certainly work. I just like cutting and glueing because I get instant results, The star polyp mat will grow in all directions instead of just one(covering the frag rock faster) and of course the most important reason....I get to play with the glue
SiF

 

[scotts]

Scott

 

[mystangt]

If I were to go the placing a rock next to the rock route. How long could it be before they spread to the new rock?

 

[slowest is fastest]

How long will depend on a lot of things. Water quality, lighting and how far the mat has overgrown the current rock (if at all) to name a few. If the star polyp has already overgrown the rock it is attached to then by placing another rock underneath it will allow the unattached leading edge to attach quickly to the new rock. As far as growth... 1-3 weeks for the same 1" piece IME, longer if there is any gap between the polyp rock and the rubble.
SiF
If you remove a strip from the center of the original piece to glue up it will regrow twice as fast as it will be filling in from all directions. Not to mention when it opens up a missing 1/4"-1/2" wide strip is hardly noticable (again if at all)