Do you have a special reefkeeper in your life that deserves a handmade-with-love gift? Or… more realistically… it may just be a present to yourself. This simple project only takes a few minutes to put together and organizes your basic frag supplies in a neat kit.
I’d like to thank my very dear friend, Kevin, for the idea. He gave it to me as a present many years ago (which I still have), and what a wonderful present it was! I previously had a “frag box”… a small tote that held everything haphazardly… and left me subject to getting a scalpel stab while searching for super glue. This new, handy tote is rather inexpensive, and it keeps everything well-organized.
Supply List:
What supplies you use is totally up to you! But, this is a handy list just to get you started. Other ideas are in the links below.
- Organizer Box (~$15 USD)
- Bone Cutters or Toenail Clippers (~$7 – $20+ USD)
- Frag Plugs (~$10 – $20 USD)
- Super Glue Gel (~$8 USD)
- Bridal Veil Fabric (~$4 USD)
- Rubber bands (~$3 USD)
- Scalpel Knife (~$8 USD)
- UV and Regular Flashlight (~$15 USD)
- Pan Scraper (~$3 USD)
Organizer Box:
First up is the container. Mine was from Harbor Freight (a U.S.-based hardware store), but you could always use fishing tackle boxes, craft organizers, etc. This option is similar: Organizer Box (~$15 USD)
Frag Cutters:
A frag kit wouldn’t be complete without some way to frag, so I highly recommend some “Bone Cutters” or heavy duty Toenail Clippers (ok, I’ll wait while you make a silly face over that one.) But seriously, I love the Toenail Clippers, as they’re just the right size for my hands, and they’re less than $7 USD (They also lasted me 14 years, previously)! Specialty aquarium stores typically sell larger ones that are great for cutting really thick frags. They also come in powder-coated versions for longer life. I have a pair of the powder-coated ones, and while they’re beautiful, I still like my $7 set better.
Frag Plugs
Since this is a frag kit, Frag Plugs are always a good idea (unless you have several hundred frag plugs already on hand as I do.) I keep my frag plugs in separate containers, organized by size; however, I do keep a few plugs in the kit just in case I need a few quickly.
Super Glue
Of course, to go along with the cutters and plugs, super glue is a must-have. Super Glue Gel is typically the go-to choice, but coral epoxies and specialty glues are great as well. Before the “dollar stores” became the “$1.25 and up” stores with even less product, I used to buy all of my glue there (in bulk, dozens at a time, which earned me some strange looks). Nowadays, some of the bulk buys on Amazon aren’t too bad.
Bridal Veil Fabric
If you’re fragging soft corals, like mushrooms, you may want to consider having some bridal veil fabric on hand. This is really useful to put over the coral so that it doesn’t float away in the current.
Rubber Bands
Rubber bands are helpful to tie down Xenia or other leather corals to the frag plugs. It is also an easy way to secure the bridal veil, mentioned above, to the frag plug.
Dipping Supplies:
I also use my “frag kit” as a “coral dip kit,” so I have other items in it. I, personally, keep my scalpel separate since I don’t have a cover for it (they’re meant to be disposable, but I keep mine), and I really prefer to not cut myself. If you decide to keep a scalpel knife in the box, please either cover it, or use disposable blades.
I also like a dental pick kit, like these on Amazon (although I got mine from Harbor Freight). They’re great for getting muck out of tiny crevices, knocking of eggs, etc.
Pipettes are always handy to have around, including for various household purposes. I end up buying them in bulk every few years. Typically I use them for dipping and feeding corals, but also for cleaning the rock work.
Flashlight:
I keep an LED light handy in the kit to help inspect corals when I get them. Although it’s not pictured, I do use a UV light, like this one, to help look for pests and other problems.
Other Odds and Ends:
I also keep random items that don’t fit elsewhere in my kit, such as measuring spoons (e.g., tablespoon, teaspoon) and this plastic scraper made for cleaning kitchen pans. It actually does a great job cleaning algae off aquarium equipment (especially off acrylic surfaces).
Safety Equipment:
And, of course, no kit is ever complete without some sort of safety equipment. I keep a pair of gloves in my kit, and my safety glasses and fragging face shield aren’t far away. If you’re looking for gloves, I recommend powder-free nitrile gloves. Latex is ok (as long as you aren’t allergic), but they aren’t quite as puncture-resistant. I have to admit, I’m not sure of the material of the gloves shown.
Conclusion:
If it wasn’t obvious, just place all of the items neatly in the container, close it up, and voila, it’s an awesome gift! Ok, you might want to add a bow on top.
Depending on the items, this kit could range $30 – $50 USD. If this is a self-present, and your significant other balks at the price, just remind him/ her about how clean it will help you keep your workspace! Of course, you could always start small and just add the items as you go.
If you have other recommendations, post them up in the comments below!
Happy reefing!
