acan frags on plugs

[atlorange]

I would like to know if anyone has any tips or tricks regarding removing acan frags from plugs. I have several acan frags glued to standard plugs and would like to put these on the bottom of my tank (BB). Clipping the stem off is easy, but can't get it flat enough so it doesn't have to 'balance' on what is left of the stem. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[jeffh]

If they are the fax stone type, I've found that a bone cutters and some hand strength can usually get the job done. If not, I would guess a dremel could cut the rod off pretty quick.

 

[atlorange]

ajcvol2604;614685 wrote:

I would like to know if anyone has any tips or tricks regarding removing acan frags from plugs. I have several acan frags glued to standard plugs and would like to put these on the bottom of my tank (BB). Clipping the stem off is easy, but can't get it flat enough so it doesn't have to 'balance' on what is left of the stem. Any ideas?


What are you using to clip the stem off? I was actually wondering the same thing b/c I do not have hole for the stem to go where I want to put the frag and a flat plug would fix this issue.

Just bone cutters, they clip right off, but the problem is they are the ones that slowly curve/taper to the stem. So you can't get the part where it tapers with bone cutters. These are the normal stone plugs....not the ORA ones.

 

[jeffh]

What I usually do is buy the larger flat disc type, pop the acan off of the plug and reglue on the disc. It gives the acan a nice flat place to grow on and being larger, it will usually stay put on the bottom. You could also pop the acan off the plug and just glue it straight on your liverock.

 

[sts04c]

atlorange;614687 wrote:

Just bone cutters, they clip right off, but the problem is they are the ones that slowly curve/taper to the stem. So you can't get the part where it tapers with bone cutters. These are the normal stone plugs....not the ORA ones.

Maybe a dremel with a sanding tip.....

 

[rjrgroup]

Drill a small hole for the stem to fit in a 2x4,2x6,etc. Take a small ball peen hammer (or a bfh) and sharp chisel and carefully tap around the base of the frag or top of the plug. The weak point is the plug itself, so of come the frag, glue and a thin layer of plug material. Then take a meaty file and rough sand paper to the bottom surface.
Good luck!

Edit: Oh, AND WEAR SAFETY GLASSES OR A FACE SHIELD! Toxins bad...um k?

 

[weaglereefer]

I like to have anything on the sandbed on one of these:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/coral-frag-rocks-10pc-oceans-wonders.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/coral-frag-rocks-10pc-oceans-wonders.html</a>

Let's face it, with zoas or acans on discs, they all get the same round shape and it looks like a bunch of half buried racquet balls on the sandbed. These stones have flat bottoms (so they're great for BB and you can label the coral with a sharpie if you have enough to forget names) and look more natural than a stark white perfect circle on the bottom. Just my 1/50th of a dollar.

 

[jeffh]

Cool product, I haven't seen those frag rocks before! :thumbs:

 

[gnashty]

Hey guys - I made several of these myself and made some nice larger rocks with holes drilled into them specifically for my acans that are on frag plugs. looks nice and keeps it off the sandbed...PM me if you are interested...

Here is a pic - just the actinics were on but you kinda get the idea. each of the frags are on plugs sunk into the rock. now my diamond goby doesnt cover them up anymore!!

>

class="gc-images" title="IMG00638-20110123-1057.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:400px" /></a>

 

[weaglereefer]

Gary,

So that is DIY rock? Can they be made with a flat bottom? And how light are they? (if you get where I'm going, I'm thinking DIY magnetic frag rack that doesn't look like a dumb plastic rack).

 

[gnashty]

weaglereefer;614712 wrote: Gary,

So that is DIY rock? Can they be made with a flat bottom? And how light are they? (if you get where I'm going, I'm thinking DIY magnetic frag rack that doesn't look like a dumb plastic rack).

No, its live rock that is not quite porous enough to use as live rock imho - most of it has that honeycomb appearance in some places. all the bottoms are flat (thanks to my DFS-100). They are dense and heavy but stay in place well on the sandbed. It would be cost prohibitive to try to make these particular ones magnetic. I have tons of rock that fits this bill. I was going to make several of these and offer them to reefers for what I have into them - $5 each or something like that

 

[rjrgroup]

weaglereefer;614712 wrote: Gary,

So that is DIY rock? Can they be made with a flat bottom? And how light are they? (if you get where I'm going, I'm thinking DIY magnetic frag rack that doesn't look like a dumb plastic rack).

ah ha! I know what I'm doing tonight...brilliant! Wouldn't it be necessary to drill/shape them to allow flow and a bit of light?

 

[weaglereefer]

I was thinking something like this:

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/frag_supplies.htm">http://www.thefilterguys.biz/frag_supplies.htm</a>

Without costing $75 for the smallest one (check down the page for "Mag Station").


Could probably mold around those MagFloat cleaners, maybe 2 of them? or the largest one?

 

[atlorange]

JeffH;614692 wrote: What I usually do is buy the larger flat disc type, pop the acan off of the plug and reglue on the disc. It gives the acan a nice flat place to grow on and being larger, it will usually stay put on the bottom. You could also pop the acan off the plug and just glue it straight on your liverock.

How do you pop the acan off the plug? I despise frag plugs, I only use rubble, but I guess it's probably the easiest to work with when fragging in bulk so it's what most dealers use.

 

[rjrgroup]

weaglereefer;614725 wrote: I was thinking something like this:

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/frag_supplies.htm">http://www.thefilterguys.biz/frag_supplies.htm</a>

Without costing $75 for the smallest one (check down the page for "Mag Station").


Could probably mold around those MagFloat cleaners, maybe 2 of them? or the largest one?[/QUOTE]
Sorry to blaitently high-jack this thread but those are awesome. I was thinking about drilling and sandblasting a light porous rock. Anyone have easy access to a big bad blaster?

Edit: Blatantly...

 

[jeffh]

Most of the times the acan is super glued to the plug...just take a small flat bladed screwdriver and pry between the glue and the plug. You can also use a bone cutter and cut right between the glue and plug...it won't cut, but does usually pop it off.

 

[jennm]

Brian has made some "frag rocks" by drilling with a pretty wide bit so that plugs fit inside. You can also stick a glob of epoxy in the hole to hold the plug in. He just uses random pieces of LR - whatever we have on hand. They work well.

Jenn