http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/conservation/coral-propagation/reef-gardening-coral-propagation/ Information And Resources For Anyone Interested In Aquarium Fish, Saltwater Aquariums, Tropical Fish, Home Aquariums. Aquarium Care, Aquarium Equipment And Much More. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:21:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/conservation/coral-propagation/reef-gardening-coral-propagation/comment-page-1/#comment-14097 John Sun, 04 May 2008 12:19:32 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/coral-propagation/reef-gardening-coral-propagation/#comment-14097 Hello Roxanne. To start with I suggest you use just a toadstool coral (Sarcophyton sp). This will get you over the first 'cut' and give you confidence. There are two ways of "fragging" a toadstool that I have used. The first is to cut the head off. Leave a good length of stalk on the original coral (it must not be too short), and a short length of stalk on the head. The original stalk will grow a new head. Attach the cut off head by firmly fixing the short stalk between two rocks, or keep it in place with a cocktail stick or similar. The second way is to cut the head off and not leave much stalk, if any, on the head. Then cut the head into, say, five parts. Attach each part to a rock with a cocktail stick or rubber band (not too tight) and leave to attach and grow. The original coral will grow a new head. The one hitch with this is that sometimes the new corals from the cut up head are a bit misshapen, and, of course, it takes longer. In both cases water quality must be good with decent movement and lighting adequate. I suggest you initially use the first method, just cut the head off and produce two corals from one. This will give you confidence. I have done it many times and not had any problems, and I'm no surgeon! Once over the hurdle you could consider using other corals. Have fun! You'll certainly help the pet shop, and also the reefs at the same time. Hello Roxanne.
To start with I suggest you use just a toadstool coral (Sarcophyton sp). This will get you over the first ‘cut’ and give you confidence.
There are two ways of “fragging” a toadstool that I have used.
The first is to cut the head off. Leave a good length of stalk on the original coral (it must not be too short), and a short length of stalk on the head. The original stalk will grow a new head. Attach the cut off head by firmly fixing the short stalk between two rocks, or keep it in place with a cocktail stick or similar.
The second way is to cut the head off and not leave much stalk, if any, on the head. Then cut the head into, say, five parts. Attach each part to a rock with a cocktail stick or rubber band (not too tight) and leave to attach and grow. The original coral will grow a new head. The one hitch with this is that sometimes the new corals from the cut up head are a bit misshapen, and, of course, it takes longer.
In both cases water quality must be good with decent movement and lighting adequate.
I suggest you initially use the first method, just cut the head off and produce two corals from one. This will give you confidence.
I have done it many times and not had any problems, and I’m no surgeon!
Once over the hurdle you could consider using other corals.
Have fun! You’ll certainly help the pet shop, and also the reefs at the same time.

]]> http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/conservation/coral-propagation/reef-gardening-coral-propagation/comment-page-1/#comment-14006 Roxanne Sat, 03 May 2008 00:56:56 +0000 http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/coral-propagation/reef-gardening-coral-propagation/#comment-14006 I am thinking of learning how to propagate corals for my experience and to help support my local pet shop, of which I work at. I am looking for a few ideas for "starter" corals to ease the transition into this field. Any help or advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I am thinking of learning how to propagate corals for my experience and to help support my local pet shop, of which I work at. I am looking for a few ideas for “starter” corals to ease the transition into this field.
Any help or advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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