IceCap 7/8in Biological Frag Plugs with Flat Top, 25 pcs
SKU: IC-BFP25-F
MSRP: $ 10,71
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Unbroken Flat-Top Profile: Formed without an intentional center indentation or structural mounting divot, offering a level surface area to position branching stalks or wide encrusting fragments.
- Fused Nano-Sphere Architecture: Manufactured from high-purity ceramic micro-beads bound at high temperatures, creating a deeply interconnected network of microscopic flow channels.
- Integrated Universal Anchor Peg: Features a standard-diameter molded bottom stem that slots securely into commercial acrylic frag racks, magnetic carriers, and standard light-crate grids.
- Superior Adhesive Bonding: The rough, textured surface profile maximizes the mechanical grip of cyanoacrylate frag glues, preventing loose frags from tumbling down.
- 100% Inert and Cure-Free: Completely free of heavy metals and pollutants, requiring no lengthy freshwater curing cycles or chemical pre-washes before tank introduction.
IceCap
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IceCap 7/8 Inch Biological Ceramic Nano-Sphere Flat Top Coral Frag Plugs
The IceCap 7/8 Inch Biological Ceramic Nano-Sphere Flat Top Coral Frag Plugs (SKU: IC-BFP22-F1) represent a major technical advance in marine coral propagation substrates, designed specifically to accelerate tissue encrusting speeds and enhance localized water chemistry parameters. Standard dense aragonite mounts or smooth compressed-clay discs offer only basic two-dimensional surface areas. This forces expanding coral tissues—such as Montipora, Chalice, Acan, and colonial Zoanthids—to expend precious metabolic energy trying to grip a slick surface. The IceCap biological plug completely bypasses this growth bottleneck, providing an advanced three-dimensional matrix of fused ceramic nano-spheres that mimics the natural porous microstructure of wild reef frameworks.
By fusing thousands of microscopic ceramic beads under precise heat tracks, each 7/8-inch flat top plug opens up an internal labyrinth of capillary pathways. While alternative plugs contain deep central divots that can restrict placement to single vertical branches, this specialized flat top configuration offers a level surface area. This ensures that encrusting plates or clustering soft tissue colonies can spread evenly without falling into deep hollows. This highly porous structure allows vital, oxygen-rich tank water to sweep directly through the base of the plug. This action eliminates stagnant oxygen-starved zones and distributes dissolved elements cleanly to the coral's base. At the same time, this high-flow web becomes an immediate sanctuary for populations of beneficial nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter). As a result, each coral frag you position across your racks doubles as a highly active block of bio-media, which helps actively lower organic waste and ammonia levels throughout your system.
Key Features
Level Flat Surface Optimization: Offers an unmarred surface area for cleanly applying glue lines and securing wide fragments, branching stalks, or sprawling soft colonies.
Universal Stability Peg: The molded bottom stem keeps your newly sliced frags oriented upright and secure against strong powerhead flow and clean-up crew movements.
Inert, Non-Leaching Chemistry: Kiln-fired to ensure complete chemical neutrality. These bases will not trigger unwanted local hair algae outbreaks or warp your water's pH balance.
(Note: This retail SKU contains (1) factory box containing (25) individual IceCap 7/8-inch flat-top biological frag plugs with integrated anchor stems. Specialized coral frag glues, targeted coral dips, and propagation tools are sold under separate product categories).
What’s Included:
(25) Individual IceCap 7/8" Biological Ceramic Flat Top Frag Plugs
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap 7/8" Biological Ceramic Flat Top Frag Plug (25pc Pack)
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-BFP22-F1
Plug Crown Nominal Diameter: 0.875 Inch (22.2mm Top Profile Face)
Plug Stem Configuration: Integrated Molded Anchor Peg (Fits Standard 3/8" Grid Slots)
Primary Material Matrix: Kiln-Fired Fused Synthetic Ceramic Nano-Spheres
Porosity Value Rating: Greater than 65% Open Interconnected Volumetric Porosity
Curing Cycle Required: 0 Days (Factory Cured, Inert, Direct-to-Tank Safe)
Primary Structural Color Finish: Earthy Speckled Charcoal / Light Brown Matrix
While most of our equipment carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty, consumable products like fish and coral foods are not covered under traditional warranty terms due to their perishable nature and varied storage conditions. However, we fully stand behind the quality of every product we sell. If you experience any issues with your food purchase shortly after receiving it, such as concerns about freshness, packaging integrity, or product quality, please contact us at [email protected]. We're committed to making it right and will work with you to resolve any problems quickly and fairly.
- Remove the desired number of flat top biological frag plugs from the packaging box. Give them a quick rinse in a cup of clean reverse osmosis (RO) water to remove any loose ceramic dust from shipping.
- Prepare your source coral colony on a clean cutting mat, using specialized stainless steel bone cutters or an aquaculture band saw to slice clean coral fragments.
- Lightly dry the bottom surface of the coral fragment with a clean paper towel. Apply a small bead of gel-type cyanoacrylate coral frag glue to the center of the plug's flat surface.
- Press the coral fragment gently down into the glue pool on the flat top face. Hold it firmly in position for 10 to 15 seconds to let the adhesive establish a strong mechanical bond within the ceramic pores.
- Place the completed frag into a container filled with clean tank water or a mild coral dip solution for 3 to 5 minutes to fully cure the glue before adding it to your display.
- Slide the plug's stem into your designated frag rack, eggcrate grid, or magnetic mount. Ensure it receives proper indirect flow and lighting tailored to that specific coral species.
Pro Tips:
- The High-Porosity Matrix Requires Less Glue for a Stronger Hold.
CRITICAL FRAGGING ADHESIVE WARNING: Because the fused nano-sphere matrix contains thousands of open micro-pores, you only need a fraction of the glue compared to standard smooth plugs. The capillary action of the ceramic naturally draws the liquid glue deep into the plug's body, forming an incredibly strong interlocking bond. Avoid over-applying glue, as excess can ooze outward and smother the open ceramic pores, reducing the available biological filtration zone.
- Pre-Soak Your Plugs in an Internal Sump Track to Jumpstart Cycling. If you are planning a large fragging project, drop a handful of these biological plugs into a high-flow chamber of your sump a couple of weeks before you use them. Because they are incredibly porous, they will quickly collect a rich layer of active nitrifying bacteria straight from your system. When you attach your new coral fragments, this pre-established bio-layer helps protect the cut tissue from opportunistic infections and accelerates healing times.
- Clean Calcified Mineral Scale and Algae with a Mild Vinegar Soak. If you have used plugs sitting on your racks that have collected a layer of green turf algae or calcified tube worm scale, do not throw them away—they are fully reusable. Simply soak the fouled plugs in a bath of warm water mixed with 10% white vinegar for 24 hours to dissolve the mineral scale. Rinse them thoroughly with fresh RO water and let them dry completely in the sun for 48 hours. This clears out the pores and restores them to factory-new condition.