Protect Your Coral Fragging Investment and Avoid These 10 Gryphon Aquasaw Mistakes

A coral bandsaw like the Gryphon Aquasaw makes it easy to quickly and precisely cut a large run of frags. That said, power tools and saltwater are likely never a good combination but if you follow our advice, you can keep your Gryphon Aquasaw running smoothly and in tip-top shape for years to come.

Top 10 Gryphon Aquasaw Mistakes

1. Not Using Saltwater

The Gryphon bandsaw is designed to cut and frag coral with saltwater. It is made from plastic and stainless steel components that will resist corrosion and you should ALWAYS fill the bottom reservoir with saltwater when fragging.  DO NOT USE FRESHWATER in the bottom reservoir when cutting corals, always use saltwater. 

2. Not Cleaning Your Saw After Each Use

While you should always use saltwater when fragging corals, it is important to rinse your entire Aquasaw and all of the components in freshwater after every single use. RO/DI water is preferred and even skipping this step one time can have detrimental effects on your saw. Simply break it down and wash all of the parts to prevent corrosion or otherwise damaged components due to long-term exposure to saltwater. During this process, you will empty the saltwater reservoir and dispose of the soiled saltwater as well. 

3. Overfilling The Bottom Reservoir

The saltwater reservoir should get filled to the appropriate level with clean saltwater before each use.  Overfilling the reservoir will result in leaking and/or splashing water when operating the saw and simply causes a mess. The maximum fill line is just below or at the bottom of the sponge. 

4. Running Your Blade Dry

A dry blade is a broken blade so always fill the reservoir with clean saltwater from your display aquarium before use. The saltwater in the reservoir keeps the blade wet and cool during operation.

5. Tinkering With The Bottom Set Screw

Do not adjust the bottom white vinyl screw. This screw is factory set to align the motor wheel which keeps the blade running straight and on the wheel. Adjusting the screw will cause the blade to slip off the wheel and/or break. 

6. Not Having An Extra Blade

Always keep a spare Gryphon Aquasaw brand blade on hand. Murphy's Law would have it, the blade will always break only when you need it most. Trying to cut coral with a dull or damaged blade can result in injury and/or damage your coral beyond recovery.  

7. Using A Knock-Off Replacement Blade

Always buy the Gryphon brand Replacement Blades. Using an off-brand blade will not withstand the speed of the Gryphon bandsaw motor leading to damage or premature failure, it's just not worth the minimal savings (if any). 

8. Waiting Too Long To Change The Blade

Always swap the blade out when it needs it.  Blades can break, bend, or simply become dull over time.  If it is smooth to the touch, obviously bent, or just takes too long to cut through a piece of coral, it is time to swap out the diamond-coated bandsaw blade.  

9. Trying To Frag Something Too Big

The Aquasaw does have a maximum coral size limit and there is a point at which a coral will be too big to pass through the blade opening. Trying to cut a coral that doesn't fit can damage the coral and/or bandsaw so just be sure the coral fits the saw and will not hit the top arm when passing through.  Trying to turn the coral during cutting is not a safe technique for managing larger coral pieces. 

10. Getting Glue On The Blade

Avoid getting coral glue on the blade because it will ruin the blade. After you are done cutting, glue your frags on a separate surface, nowhere near the saw blade. Coral glue has a tendency to get onto anything within arms reach when fragging so just be safe and don't glue on the saw tray.