High Tide Aquatics

Advice to cut rock-hard coral underwater?

H2OPlayar said:
Have you tried calling one of your orthopedic surgeon friends? They have the real bone cutters, and the strength to use them.

Stylos are tough. Drain and dremmel is a for sure way that won't send you to one of your peers for a shoulder mri.

I've used the dremel extension and it works for a day, then rust binds the tool up so treat it as a single use.
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This coral is significantly harder to cut through than real bone. You’re right about maybe needing a stronger operator though
 
@JVU I’m following along because I’ve had the same issue cutting ORA stellar stylo. Curious if you’re also dosing strontium but I think this super toughness is a species trait because a few of my acros have this “titanium” like skeleton but not all. I’ve also tried two sizes of bone cutters & the Maxspect Coral Hand Saw. I ended up having to remove the whole colony from the rock and band saw it.
 
Chromis said:
@JVU I’m following along because I’ve had the same issue cutting ORA stellar stylo. Curious if you’re also dosing strontium but I think this super toughness is a species trait because a few of my acros have this “titanium” like skeleton but not all. I’ve also tried two sizes of bone cutters & the Maxspect Coral Hand Saw. I ended up having to remove the whole colony from the rock and band saw it.
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Yeah sounds like a similar experience. I am dosing strontium but just at whatever the standard dose is in Triton Core7. Certainly tougher than any other hard corals I have.
 
JVU said:
I have this saw. Sawed away for like 20 min until my arms were too tired to continue and made maybe 1 mm indent. I’ve used this to cut other thick coral pretty easily before. The reason I kept sawing with it when it obviously wasn’t working was because I couldn’t believe it wasn’t.
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In that case, you’ll need Chuck Norris!

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There's a cable like saw to cut wood and other things, sort of like a string you work with both hands; not sure of the specific name of it but might do the trick?
 
I would just be careful with a Dremel in a partially full tank. I don't know about other model but mine is not auto shutoff if you were to release it. So if you drop it in the water.... I might try the long-handled cutters first
 
JVU said:
Interesting
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That's the one popped up first, there are diamond coated SS wires available.
Eric is right, a really nice tool for tight spots.
*Must add that for camping/backpacking is also of great use instead of left behind or dull hatchets.
 
Your best bet is the mini bolt cutters. Just wash off the oil film with soap; re-apply oil after using them to prevent rust.

All the other tools are too big and clumsy to get into your tank or into tight spaces.
 
CaptainB said:
Only problem with bolt cutters is they don't open wide. Even 14" ones only can cut up to 8mm.
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Same with the coral cutters. I take snips at the base and wear away the hard coral with the blades. Think like a lumberjack taking down a big tree. Then eventually with enough wear the coral will snap off. That's how I got my big stylo off.
 
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