How do I remove this leather?

[MsBeanCtr]

I've had this leather for over a year and it's doing very well. It's well over 15" wide and I'm thinking I'm going to trade it in on one that's a lot smaller. What would be the best way to separate it from the rock it's attached too? Should I try to break the rock it's attached to? Suggestions/Comments?

Thank you!

 

[melosu58]

I would cut it at the base with a razor blade. I would also frag it into 3 or 4 pieces.

 

[Hara]

if you are wanting to sell it to the store, i would suggest breaking the rock. Large leathers like that do not really like to re attach very easily.

 

[minotaur]

I have the same problem. My leather coral is near the top of the tank, and is overtaking it.
So just take a razor blade and slice it off as close to the rock as I can get? If I wanted to frag it, how would I do that?

 

[cmor1701d]

Fragging is quite easy. You can take a scissor and cut around the crown, then cut that piece into several pieces. Attach each piece to a rock. I used a toothpick going through the frag and then glued to the rock. I now have 8 or 9 small leathers. I fragged mine to save what was left when the base started deteriorating. This was after an overheating incident last year.

 

[minotaur]

thanks!

 

[melosu58]

Even though this is not a toadstool it is a leather coral. You can see what I did to this one when I fragged it. The only thing I would change is dont use thread. Use fishing line or try the other attachments methods that are mentioned.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=93270&highlight=fragging

 

[minotaur]

That is a bighelp, thanks.

 

[MsBeanCtr]

I just want to make sure I've got this down. If I cut about where the top of the hippo tang is, I should be ok right? I'll keep the stalk and it will regrow a top again correct? Also, how long will it take for the top portion to heal over (from where I cut it)? As you can see, this coral is getting rather large.

One last question....should I run some gac after I put them back in the tank (along with a pwc)?

 

[cmor1701d]

I would cut it a bit higher, then cut the frag into multiple pieces.

I did mine outside of the tank. As mine was disintegrating at the base I got rid of the stalk. The frags all healed over rather quickly, but took a while to start growing.

 

[melosu58]

One last question....should I run some gac after I put them back in the tank (along with a pwc)?

I think that is an excellent idea.