Coral fragging is the practice of breaking off a piece of healthy coral tissue and growing it into a new colony. Tools needed: bone cutters (for hard/SPS coral), razor blade or shears (soft coral), reef putty + cyanoacrylate gel, frag plugs, dipping solution (CoralRx, Bayer Advanced, Revive). Procedure: 1. Identify a healthy area of the parent piece with visible polyp extension. 2. Make a clean cut - rougher cuts heal slower and invite infection. 3. Dip the frag in the dipping solution per manufacturer instructions (typically 5-10 minutes). 4. Rinse in clean saltwater. 5. Apply a small bead of reef putty to the frag plug, then a drop of CA gel on top. 6. Press the frag base into the putty - the CA flash-bonds, the putty holds long-term. 7. Place in moderate flow at similar lighting to the parent - too high or too low and the frag may bleach or stall. Healing time: SPS encrusts in 2-4 weeks; LPS regrows tissue in 1-2 weeks; soft coral attaches in 1-3 weeks. Pro tip: never frag a stressed coral - wait until parent is fully healthy and growing.
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