Need to frag my torch....

[albfishin']

I added my torch to my tank about 4 mos ago, and since its going crazy. It currently has 7 heads on it and when it is in full bloom, it's probably 8 in across by 4 inches tall. It is waging war on its surrounding neighbors.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to frag it? I heard someone say, hammer and chisel it. If this is correct, will it surrive out of water long enough to frag it? or will I need to perform this "surgery" in a bucket? Any help would be appreciated. TY

 

[cjason3041]

wow i failed in my research...1 bought a torch thinking it would be on in my 29G...hope it grows slower than yours

 

[reefkprz]

it can handle being out of the water for fifteen minutes easily. you can use a hammer and chisel or bone cutters, or a rotozip. just becareful not to "bruise" the tender tissues and make the break or cut well back from the fleshy heads usually at an intersection of branches is easiest. if the skeleton is not too thick you may be able to grab a hold and just snap off the branch you want without banging on it with a hammer. they a really hardy and recover in short order. once you do it once or twice you will wonder why you ever worried about it. seriously.

 

[psusocr1]

good advice above.. when i fragged mine i just took it out of the tank and used a dremel and cut the branches away.. just make sure you cut as low as possible and in a vertical line so you dont damage anything.. its pretty easy to do..
you cana lso break it but be carefull and try to get a low, clean break

 

[albfishin']

Thanks for the great advice guys

I'll probably give it a go this coming weekend when I have a little time to spend with it. Again thanks.

 

[kjord97]

Just remember when ever you break it, living tissue extends down into the skeleton about 1 inch. Most of my frogspawn, which I have fragged many many times over the past few years, i do this.
With frogspawn in the tank, take your hand and wave water at it, make it close up.
Remove frogspawn and take in 2 hands and pull, it will snap at the forks. I only do this because i dont like the fine looking cuts, I like jagged edges looks more natual.
Also you can take a knife and pop off the tiny heads that form under the larger heads. They will never grow to big, due to them being covered by the larger heads.