CORAL PROPAGATION | Safety Precautions & Tools


Digital Photography by Tammy J. Keiffer
Safety Precautions
It is never recommended to slice & dice any coral inside the main display aquarium unless it is too large to move. If removal is 100% impossible, run activated carbon (chemical filtration) directly afterwards. If you prefer not to use any means of chemical filtration (I prefer not) it is not needed if using a protein skimmer (mechanical filtration) or simply do a small water change. Corals slime and secrete toxins which can be very harmful to other corals.
Transfer all corals that are to be propagated into a rectangular container with H20 from the display and is deep enough to keep the corals submersed at all times. This prevents the corals from being exposed to open air or shocked from fluctuated water specifications such as salinity and temperature ranges.
Those new to reef keeping should NEVER fragment any coral without gaining knowledge of:
1. Coral species to be fragmented which should already be known prior to purchase. If you do not know how to care for it. Do not purchase it until you do the research.
2. Handling requirements in order to prevent death of the coral.
3. Safety precautions to protect yourself against harmful toxins that corals produce.

ALWAYS research prior to fragmentation and follow safety precautions. Wear safety glasses to protect the eyes. Squirts and splashes do occur, especially when cutting mushrooms or button polyps.
ALWAYS wear rubber gloves to protect against the toxic chemicals corals produce. Allergic reactions are common. Research before cutting Button Polyps as some species contain Palytoxin.

Tools
Tools to have at hand are: a clean towel, a new razor blade, a pair of sharp scissors, thread, rubber bands, toothpicks, super glue, rock rubble, 1/4 inch deep cup bottoms, netting, protective eye wear, and non toxic rubber gloves.

coral propagation
Tools & Precautions
Green Nepthea
Finger Leather
Kenya Tree
Cauliflower Colt
Pulsing Xenia
Anthelia
Mushrooms
Pink | Green Star Polyps
Button Polyps
Branching LPS

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agrocrete live rock
Recommended for large systems.
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