Overview
• Combines the benefits of vast surface area and intelligent design with a high-purity aragonite component to maximize the aquarist’s use of available space in coral culture systems while maximizing the growth rate potential of coralline algae, yielding shorter grow out to market than when using conventional plugs.
• The hexagonal shape of HeXiDiscs permit close placement on flat surfaces (as the graphic representation of the honeycomb structure on this label demonstrates) to maximize use of available surface area in grow out systems; this is far better utilization of space than is provided by frag plugs or discs with circular or radius shapes to the glued surfaces.
• Hexagonal shape is conducive to growing all manner of branching, plating, and massive stony corals, soft corals, and colonial polyps such as zoanthids and their close allies.
• The use of Brightwell Aquatics R.E.E.F.-Fuze fluorescent cyanoacrylate enables aquarists to monitor growth rates at a glance, as the fluorescent coloration of the bonded area is over grown with new coral tissue.
• Average surface area of 500,000 ft2 per cubic foot (~1,900 m2 per L, ~150 ft2 per gram) encourages colonization by beneficial nitrifying bacteria, resulting in rapid and efficient conversion of ammonia into nitrite and nitrate and further enhancing the stability of nutrient concentrations in grow out systems.
• Researched, designed, and made in the USA of US-sourced, high-quality ingredients.
Technical Background
Combining the benefits and cutting-edge technology of fluorescent cyanoacrylate (which clearly shows the rate of coral tissue growth following propagation when illuminated under actinic light sources) and Xport-Ca, an aragonite-based version of NanoIntelex Xport filtration media (all of which is made in our private factory in the United States), Brightwell Aquatics introduces the R.E.E.F. Frag system. The goal is simple: to improve productivity, use of spatial and monetary resources, and consequently the bottom line of coral and zooxanthallate clam farmers. 100% researched, designed, and made in the USA of US-sourced, high-quality ingredients.
The acronym, “R.E.E.F.”, stands for Responsible, Ecologically-Ethical Fragging. As stewards of natural marine habitats through ethical reef aquarium husbandry practices and responsible selection of aquarium inhabitants as their care requirements are met, and hopefully exceeded, by the capabilities of the aquarium that they are being placed into, the fate of many species’ long-term survival on our planet may literally be in the hands of those who understand their needs best: recreational and professional aquarists.
Xport-Ca HemiXSpheres, HeXiDiscs, R.E.E.F. Plates, and ClamHammocks combine the benefits of vast surface area and intelligent design with a high-purity aragonite component to maximize the aquarist’s use of available space in coral and clam culture systems, while maximizing the growth rate potential of coralline algae, yielding shorter grow out to market than when using conventional plugs. The hemispherical shape of HemiXSpheres is conducive to growing multiple colonies on the same piece. The hexagonal shape of HeXiDiscs permit close placement on flat surfaces to maximize use of available surface area in grow out systems; this is far better utilization of space than is provided by frag plugs or discs with circular or radius shapes to the glued surfaces. The spacious surface area of R.E.E.F. Plates enables them to be used as a large frag-placement platform, as advanced biofiltration material in an external filtration system, or as a covering on the bottom and/or sides of an aquarium to provide a natural appearance in combination with the most surface area per gram of any filtration media on the planet at the time of this writing. The size and shape of ClamHammocks keeps Tridacnid clams and their allies cradled, facing aquarium lighting, and off of the aquarium substrate; the open, porous “foamed aragonite” composition is readily and rapidly adhered to by bivalves. This item simplifies placement of zooxanthellate clams, and enables relocation without undue risk of damage to the tender foot or glands that cement the specimen into place, and enables unhindered growth of small cultured specimens to reach large proportions in captivity. The average surface area of Xport-Ca material is 500,000 ft2 per cubic foot (~1,900 m2 per L, ~150 ft2 per gram), which encourages colonization by beneficial nitrifying bacteria, resulting in rapid and efficient conversion of ammonia into nitrite and nitrate and further enhancing the stability of nutrient concentrations in grow out systems.
Brightwell Aquatics encourages all those maintaining closed-system marine aquaria to do their part by: propagating corals; breeding marine ornamental fishes; and by supporting individuals and businesses who are involved in those pursuits, whenever possible. Maintain pathogen-free reef systems by exercising sound judgment when purchasing or bartering for corals. When in doubt, dip corals in MediCoral.
Instructions and Guidelines
Rinse surface dust off of HeXiDiscs by immersing them in grow out aquarium water and agitating until no more dust appears; this will seed each disc with beneficial bacterioplankton, and improve the adhesion of cyanoacrylate to the piece. HeXiDiscs may be left in the grow out system until needed, to seed with nitrifiers and/or coralline algae. When preparing a disc for attachment of corals and/or polyps, remove the disc from the aquarium water and pat the surface that is to be the attachment point for the coral dry with a clean towel, until the majority of moisture appears to be gone from the area. If desired, aquarist may gouge a small depression in the disc using a blunt instrument, such as a Phillips-head screwdriver, within which to place the clipped end of branching stony corals or soft corals. Pat the end of the coral, polyp, or colony that is to be adhered to the disc dry with a clean towel. Apply a small blob of R.E.E.F.-Fuze FCA to the attachment site on the disc, place the end of the coral or polyp into the FCA, then lightly and firmly hold the frag in place for 30 - 60 seconds. The HeXiDisc can be placed back into the grow out system as soon as the frag is firmly set. Note that use of Brightwell Aquatics Vitamarin-C will dramatically increase the growth rate of soft tissue in propagated cnidarians.
While we make every effort to ensure that HeXiDiscs will arrive undamaged, rough handling during shipping may occassionally result in breakage of a disc. Fortunately, the discs may be easily repared with R.E.E.F.-Fuze FCA or another fast-drying, aquarium-safe adhesive, by applying a small amount of the adhesive to one of the two mating surfaces, then holding them together for a few seconds, or until the adhesive has set and the repaired disc is durable. The growth of coralline algae over a previously-damaged disc will further solidify the structure.
Sanitary instruments and conditions lead to improved results when propagating corals; it is recommended that all instruments be thoroughly cleaned and dried between uses, and that aquarists wear hand and eye protection when handling and cutting cnidarians.
