How to frag this leather?
- Thread starter gary1328
- Start date
reefkprz
Active Member
just an observation,
the way it is all stalk and very little head is indicitave of its lack of sufficient light. its not overgrowing its looking for more light. Sarcophyton sp. like light, the more light they get the wider the head and more ripples it gets on the head. the fact that that leather is mostly stalk and almost no head shows that you dont have enough light for it to flourish the stalk extension is a survival technique exhibited by corals reaching for light.
I wouldn't frag it now, as it is expending extra energy to reach for light. it may not have enough energy to recover from fragging properly.
the way it is all stalk and very little head is indicitave of its lack of sufficient light. its not overgrowing its looking for more light. Sarcophyton sp. like light, the more light they get the wider the head and more ripples it gets on the head. the fact that that leather is mostly stalk and almost no head shows that you dont have enough light for it to flourish the stalk extension is a survival technique exhibited by corals reaching for light.
I wouldn't frag it now, as it is expending extra energy to reach for light. it may not have enough energy to recover from fragging properly.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by gary1328
Thanks for the advice, but it is hard to believe that I do not have enough light. The base of the stalk is at the midway level in my tank. The head of the leather is 10-12 inches from a 150W metal halide.
But what you say makes sense.
Gary
150 watts is not a lot halides are intense but contrary to popular belief, 150 watts of halides is only 150 watts of power consumption, the actual output depends on the quality and age of the bulb a cheap bulb wont put out as much PAR as a high quality bulb (i'm not saying you buy cheap bulbs).
I have 440w VHO + 96w PCover my 75g and I consider it marginal (all the bulbs are under 8 months old some are barely 2 months) I was only making an observation on what the picture looked like. and it does look to me like the sarcophyton is Reaching for light. try moving it under ther bulb instead of off to the side as light deflection factors into a lot when it comes to angle from the bulb. a factor a lot of people dont consider is. a tube bulb shines mostly straight down over the entire tank so you get a shared percentage of watts over the entire tank. a halide has a focal point of intensity and quickly fades off to the edges. the reflector on the fixture has a lot to do with the "splay" of intensity but for the most part a halides most agressive intensity is reached within a 20-30 degree cone from center (roughly) then you have to figure via water surface reflection reducing intensity this is an increasing diminisment and blah I could keep babbeling for hours but I'm sure you get the gist of what I am saying
Thanks for the advice, but it is hard to believe that I do not have enough light. The base of the stalk is at the midway level in my tank. The head of the leather is 10-12 inches from a 150W metal halide.
But what you say makes sense.
Gary
150 watts is not a lot halides are intense but contrary to popular belief, 150 watts of halides is only 150 watts of power consumption, the actual output depends on the quality and age of the bulb a cheap bulb wont put out as much PAR as a high quality bulb (i'm not saying you buy cheap bulbs).
I have 440w VHO + 96w PCover my 75g and I consider it marginal (all the bulbs are under 8 months old some are barely 2 months) I was only making an observation on what the picture looked like. and it does look to me like the sarcophyton is Reaching for light. try moving it under ther bulb instead of off to the side as light deflection factors into a lot when it comes to angle from the bulb. a factor a lot of people dont consider is. a tube bulb shines mostly straight down over the entire tank so you get a shared percentage of watts over the entire tank. a halide has a focal point of intensity and quickly fades off to the edges. the reflector on the fixture has a lot to do with the "splay" of intensity but for the most part a halides most agressive intensity is reached within a 20-30 degree cone from center (roughly) then you have to figure via water surface reflection reducing intensity this is an increasing diminisment and blah I could keep babbeling for hours but I'm sure you get the gist of what I am saying
ags
Member
Just get a razor blade and start pruning. toadstools are hardy SOBs. Mine overgrowns its allotted area every 6 mos or so. Once it does I literally run a razor blade through the portion I want out and throw the rest away.
To make frags, I suggest using a razor blade to cut the upper most part perpendicular to the stalk. This will leave only the stalk. Then make individual cuts as you see fit. You can glue, toothpick or whatever the frags onto rocks and within a week or so they should attach.
It's very simple. That is what I did with these two frags. Same frags appx 2 weeks after fragging and then a couple months after fragging.
To make frags, I suggest using a razor blade to cut the upper most part perpendicular to the stalk. This will leave only the stalk. Then make individual cuts as you see fit. You can glue, toothpick or whatever the frags onto rocks and within a week or so they should attach.
It's very simple. That is what I did with these two frags. Same frags appx 2 weeks after fragging and then a couple months after fragging.
ags
Member
The top will grow back. The rate at which it regrows all depends on your lighting and water quality. Mine grows like a weed but since cutting it back is more maintenance than anything I hardly pay attention. However, I noticed that it grows back fuller each time I cut it.
As for smaller pieces you cut to make frags, I wouldn't attach them to any permanent rocks in your tank. These corals grow very larger and can take over a large area of your tank. I attach all the frags to medium sized rubble & place on my DSB. When healthy enough, I trade them or sell/trade them to my LFS.
As for smaller pieces you cut to make frags, I wouldn't attach them to any permanent rocks in your tank. These corals grow very larger and can take over a large area of your tank. I attach all the frags to medium sized rubble & place on my DSB. When healthy enough, I trade them or sell/trade them to my LFS.
T
tiberius
Guest
Originally Posted by Ags
Just get a razor blade and start pruning. toadstools are hardy SOBs. Mine overgrowns its allotted area every 6 mos or so. Once it does I literally run a razor blade through the portion I want out and throw the rest away.
To make frags, I suggest using a razor blade to cut the upper most part perpendicular to the stalk. This will leave only the stalk. Then make individual cuts as you see fit. You can glue, toothpick or whatever the frags onto rocks and within a week or so they should attach.
It's very simple. That is what I did with these two frags. Same frags appx 2 weeks after fragging and then a couple months after fragging.
I love those! So very pretty. Let me know if you ever want to meet and trade one of those for some stuff I have.
Just get a razor blade and start pruning. toadstools are hardy SOBs. Mine overgrowns its allotted area every 6 mos or so. Once it does I literally run a razor blade through the portion I want out and throw the rest away.
To make frags, I suggest using a razor blade to cut the upper most part perpendicular to the stalk. This will leave only the stalk. Then make individual cuts as you see fit. You can glue, toothpick or whatever the frags onto rocks and within a week or so they should attach.
It's very simple. That is what I did with these two frags. Same frags appx 2 weeks after fragging and then a couple months after fragging.
I love those! So very pretty. Let me know if you ever want to meet and trade one of those for some stuff I have.
grumpygils
Active Member
When I frag mine, it is easy. I cut about a 1 inch by 2 inch peice out of it. I let that sit on the bottom of the tank until it curls around in a circle (always will). When in a circle, I glue to rubble and it is done. I would be leary of whacking the whole head off of it. It would look like crap for a long time.
IMO
Mc
IMO
Mc