Here is a 1 minute and 5 second Mpeg movie that shows how GARF propagates sarcophyton coral. This video shows two ways. The first uses a rubber band. The second uses bridal veil netting and Reef Glue.
Below are frames that show how the movie is layed out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The brood stock
The best Sarcophytons to use for propagation are healthy, actively growing corals. When we have more than one head of a certain species we often remove an entire cap from the stalk. In the short video you will see us remove one entire head from a colony of Sarcophyton corals. We use a sharp pair of stainless steel scissors to quickly cut the coral head as close to the top of the stalk as possible. |
Cutting the head
If it is possible to remove the Sarcophytons from the brood stock aquarium less fluids will be released in the aquarium. When we are removing the head from small Sarcophytons in our large aquariums we often cut them where they are growing. A very sharp pair of scissors cause less damage. After about one week the top of the stock will turn brown and soon you'll notice new polyps growing on it. |
The cut head
A new coral head will have developed in a few months, and we then remove another head from the colony. In a large brood stock aquarium it is important have your 12 inch stainless steel tweezers ready so that you do not lose the cutting. This part of the video shows how much current we use in our soft coral brood stock aquariums. You can see the small cloud of fluid that is released from cutting this small Sarcophyton. We do not cut any coral much larger than this in the brood stock aquarium. |
Pie shape cuts
After you remove the Sarcophytons cap you place it in a bowl of reef water from the brood stock aquarium. The first cut that you make divides the cap into two pieces across the widest section. Working on 1/2 of the cap at a time you cut several equal size pie shaped pieces. Each of these pieces will have a small section of the stalk tissue. Each pie shaped piece will also have polyps from the top of the coral and tissue from the bottom of the cap. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Placing on the plug
Using your tweezers you place each cutting on a Reef Plugtm making sure it is positioned with the polyps facing upward. Choose a Reef Plugtm with an uneven surface so you can place the cutting in a slight depression. |
The rubber band method
We use a 1/8 inch wide rubber band. This wide rubber band allows us to wrap the coral cutting tightly to the Reef PlugTM. The part of the rubber band that goes across the cutting can be adjusted for tension by holding the rubber band under your thumb and forefinger |
Wrapping the band
After we have adjusted the tension on the rubber band so that it depresses the tissue of the cutting we secure the rubber band by wrapping it several times around the bottom of the Reef Plugtm. When this method is done properly each plug will have two identical Small Sarcophytons corals. |
Finished product
You have to do a bit of experimenting to find the proper amount of tension that will hold the cutting on the Reef Plugtm without cutting it in half. The important thing to watch for when choosing a Reef Plugtm is an uneven surface so the rubber band will be supported across two high points. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Netting method, A bead of glue
We call this method of propagation the netting Band-Aid. Many soft corals need to be supported on the Reef Plugtm until they have attached and this method allows us to attach them for shipment. This method works especially well on the Sinularia tree shaped corals. We start this process by putting a line of Reef glue on the Reef PlugTM. This small amount of glue holds the cutting and both ends of the netting. We use this method on any coral that does not do well when it is completly covered with netting. |
Placing the coral
We first prepare 1/4 inch strips of nylon bridal veil netting. Before you cut this type of netting pull it slightly to determine the direction of the grain. You will notice that when you pull it one direction the holes tend to stay open, and when you pull the other direction they stretch closed. You want to cut your netting Band Aids so that when you pull them the holes remain open. You now place your cutting on the glue line. |
Placing the netting
After you've placed the end of the netting on the patch of glue that sticks out from under the cutting you hold it in place with your thumb. You can stretch the netting across the cutting so that you can pull the other end of the netting down into the other patch of glue on the other side of the cutting. Push this side of the netting down with your finger. Dip the secured cutting into the reef water and slide your finger and thumb down away from the cutting immediately. By sliding and pressing the netting you will be able to remove your fingers without sticking to the netting. |
Into the Farm-In-A-box
After we have prepared the cuttings we place them in the plastic reef racks so they can heal and start to grow. These cuttings were placed in our new Farm-In-A-BoxTM. This small aquarium is sold as a complete farm with compact lighting, filters, GrungeTM, JanitorsTM, reef plugs, coral cutting, and reef racks. The Farm-In-A-BoxTM is a great way to start your first coral farm. Call Leonel or Brian if you want information 800-600-6163. |
|
|
|
|
|
