Please read this FIRST
Introduction
The MAAST Donor Program allows members to receive frags donated by fellow members for propagation within their own home aquaria. This program is made possible through the generosity of MAAST members. The goal of the MAAST Donor Program is to encourage education, responsible reefkeeping, and sound husbandry techniques through aquaculture.
Explanation
Frequently members of MAAST will discover that they have a coral that grows extremely well for them. These are the corals that form the basis of the Donor Program. The owner of that coral, being familiar with it and how it grows, list the frag in the donor program. People receiving frags are referred to as Sponsors. These people then take the newly acquired frag and nurture it such that it also grows. Once the coral has reached a sufficient size such that it can be split without damage to the colony or the frag, it is then divided and a new frag is given to the next sponsor in line. This is repeated at a later date so that each person returns at least two frags of each coral they receive.
The donor of a frag should start a thread for that particular coral. The thread should include care specifics and a picture if possible. The thread title should consist of the coral name and speicies (if known) and the general location of the original donor. Also, a running list of particulars should be included on the first post of that thread in the following format:
Should you wish to be on the waiting list of any coral, you simply respond to the thread specific to that coral asking that your name is added to the Sponsor list. The Donor program Officers will then update the thread with your name in the Sponsors Waiting section of that coral.donor (# Available):
name (#)
Sponsor (# returned):
name (#)
Waiting list:
name
As a frag is made available and passed to you, 2 will be added to your unreturned frag total since two frags should be returned to the program to ensure sufficient frag stock to cover losses that may occur in this program. We also encourage you to report on the growth of your frags in the same thread as that which you signed up in.
Theoretically, this will allow an endless supply of frags to MAAST members. Once a MAAST member has received a frag and passed on at least 2 more frags, they can freely do what they wish with their Donor Frag.
If a MAAST Member has received a Donor Frag and it dies on them, they must report this to the Donor Program Officers who will add annotation to the lists. The sposnor is able to place their name on the bottom of the Waiting List to receive a second try at a later date in order to give others a chance to receive a frag.
In an effort to distribute frags more evenly, a member is eligible to receive exactly as many frags as he/she has donated (multiple frags of one type of coral donated will only count as a single donation) with a maximum of 5 frag sponsorships per year. A thread will be kept to keep track of members' received/donated amounts.
Threads which contain sponsors growing a coral are marked with a yellow smiley face.
A thread where all sponsored frags have died are denoted with a purple sad face. If more frags of this become available at a later date, the thread will be reactivated.
Eligibility
In order to signup and receive a Donor Frag, you must complete the following:
• You must be a paid, current MAAST member.
• You must donate at least one frag.
• You must not have more than five Incomplete Donor Frags.
• You must be able to provide the correct environment for it to grow.
• You must have reported on the growth of all of your current Donor Frags.
Frag Standards
In order to make sure that everyone participating has an equal chance at growing their frag, it is necessary to establish a predetermined size and standards. This will ensure that all participants have a frag that is considered healthy and growing as well as large enough to be self sufficient. All frags are recommended to follow the standards, as well as their respective standards for the type of frag, provided below:
All Frags
• All frags should be mounted.
• All frags should be showing new growth.
• All frags should be healthy and not visibly deteriorating.
• All frags should meet their respective requirements listed below.
Corallimorphians
• All: (Mushrooms, Ricordea, etc)
1+ Polyps per Frag with each polyp roughly 1+” in diameter. The resiliency of Corallimorphians are renowned. Having more than one polyp is a nice gesture, but a single polyp should be sufficient.
Zoanthidae
• All: (Zoanthids, Button Polyps, Yellow Polyps, etc)
3+ Polyps per Frag.
Soft Corals
• Encrusting: (Star Polyps, Pipe Organ, etc)
1” x 1” Frag with unlimited amount of Polyps. Each encrusting coral has differing sizes of polyps. This size should provide a sound amount of polyps regardless of the coral. The resiliency of most encrusting Soft Corals means that more than this wouldn’t be necessary.
• Branching: (Kenya Tree, Finger Leather, Colt Coral, etc)
2” Tall Frags with unlimited amount of Polyps. Soft Coral growth rates are quick, so a solid 2” frag is good. There can be any number of branches off of the main column.
• Columnar: (Xenia, Toadstool, etc)
1” x 1” at the largest point, at least 2” in height, and an unlimited amount of Polyps. This will allow the largest point to be of sufficient size, whether the largest point is the base of the coral or the cap. The height requirement will ensure that the frag is healthy and growing.
Large Polyp Stony Corals
• Hemispherical: (Acanthastrea, Goniopora, Plerogyra, etc)
2” x 2” with an unlimited amount of polyps OR 4 Polyps with an unlimited size; whichever is more appropriate for the coral. This will make sure that the frag is large enough to be healthy or have enough polyps in order to live and grow.
• Branching: (Hammer, Frogspawn, Candy Cane, etc)
1+ full Polyps with an unlimited size. This will also secure that the frag is large enough to capture prey and light in order to grow.
• Columnar: (Branching Galaxea, Branching Tubastrea, etc)
2” Tall piece with an unlimited number of polyps. This will make sure that the frag is large enough and have enough polyps to keep growing
• Ridge or Plate: (Fox Coral, Plate Coral, Open Brain, etc)
2” by 2” piece of unlimited Polyps. This will secure a fair amount of polyp(s) for growth. This type of coral can have an unlimited height. In the case of single polyp corals such as Plate Corals, the frag must have a piece of the mouth if it hasn’t completely grown a new one.
Small Polyp Stony Corals
• Branching and Columnar: (Acropora, Montipora, Hydnophora, etc)
1” tall piece with unlimited Polyps. The frag can also have branches as well as long as the main column is equal to or exceeds one inch in height.
• Plating and Tabling: (Acropora, Montipora, Agaricia, etc)
1” x 2” piece with unlimited Polyps. The frag can have an unlimited height, but must be sufficient in size.
• Encrusting: (Montipora, Hydnophora, Porites, etc)
A 1” x 1” piece with unlimited Polyps and Height. This should be sufficient enough to secure a large amount of polyps for growth.
