Acans frag plugs starting to bother me

[atrox]

I really dislike the look of frag plugs, is there a safe way to pop em off? Seems like wedge ing a screwdriver underneath could split the coral.

[RollaJase]

Bust out the Dremel and cut the bulk off the plug/disk? I do this with SPS pieces and zoas when they come attached to hideous ceramic or plaster frag rocks.

[atrox]

Bingo I know I was overthinking this! Thank you.

[RollaJase]

Bingo I know I was overthinking this! Thank you.

No problem, keep in mind that the ceramic disks will require one of the diamond blades as they are really hard, the plaster ones the Dremel will make quick work of. Oh and don't breathe in any of the dust .

[Bingo1213]

In my experience using a screw driver does not split the coral IF it has not grown to the plug yet. If it is just glue holding it in place a screw driver should do the trick!!

[Toybuddha]

I split the skeleton of my acan trying to remove it from a plug with a screwdriver.

[BattleAthletics]

Razor blade, not a screw driver.

[xiaoxiy]

Razor blade, not a screw driver.

This ^ or one of those Japanese wood chisels.

 

Also, make sure you get under the superglue, that way it's the superglue disk that pops off.

[aquqcrab]

I hate those plugs as well. Which is why I use rubbleinstead. But to answer your question I've used a chisel with more sucess then with a screw driver.

[Steensj2004]

Always a chance of splitting the skeleton when prying it off a plug. Just go slow and be careful.

[Kijho]

I don't even use a screw driver I just used my hands a snapped it off where the glue is - came off without trouble and then glued the skeleton to the rock.

[jestep]

If you have fragging bone cutters and the acans haven't completely grown onto the plugs, they usually work perfectly for this. WIth the flat side of the cutters against the disk, act like you're going to cut the skeleton off the plug right on the junction. Usually takes very little force and the skeleton will cleanly pop off the plug.

[opaquelace]

I usually take a pair of pliers and break off the plug stem. I prefer to keep my items on a frag plug if they come on one and not a piece of rubble. Makes for a nice round colony if you build it up under the base. Mr. Microscope has awesome igloo looking acan lord colonies.

[Mr. Microscope]

SPS Bone Cutters will do the trick for trimming the plug, but Acans are very hearty. If you take a razor blade (or screwdriver like you said, but make it a fine one) and slide it under the coral, you should be able to pop it out without breaking it. However, if it does break, you can either glue it back together or just have two frags of acans. The other option is to just feed them frequently (three times per week). Within three or four months, they should outgrow the plug and look fine.

[GHill762]

this is what I use.. never had a problem..

 

[Mr. Microscope]

this is what I use.. never had a problem..

You could use that to frag a nano tank into like 5 picos.

[GHill762]

You could use that to frag a nano tank into like 5 picos.

 

never considered fragging the whole tank at once

 

[Mr. Microscope]

 

never considered fragging the whole tank at once

pfft..amateur

 

[xzeror]

I glued down all my acans onto discs so they could grow outwards over it. If they dont have a disc they will just grow into a ball.