Attaching frags to rockwork

[mikesmith34]

What is the best product to use when I want to attach frags to the rockwork without removing the rock. Do you attach the plug or do you break the frag off the plug??

 

[glxtrix]

I try to attach the plug....that way the corals don't have to go through the "regrow" process. Lately I have been attaching the plug to it's own separate rock and adding to the scape. In the past I was too eager to put corals where ever, once they got too large, if I had multiple corals on the same rock they eventually would kill each other. If they are on their own large enough rock, you can just move it around or trim if needed. I know this wont work for everyone, but just a little something new i've been doing.

 

[bulkrate]

Whenever possible I buy frags that are already mounted on either live rock or the newer style of plugs that look like it. In cases where that just plain doesn't work out I'll clip the plug down so that it "fits" into existing crevices in the rockwork so that the plug material won't show as much.

I hate trying to re-glue corals directly... tend to make a mess of it, and yeah, they take a good bit of time to recover from my admittedly clumsy handling.

 

[mikesmith34]

I had some of the thick superglue made for reef use. The directions state that you can apply a liberal amount to the plug and stick it to the rock while still under water. Well that it easier said than done. The thing doesn't stick very well. I have not tried the epoxy putty like stuff. I just do not care for the way a plug looks on the rock work. I prefer a more natural look. Does the putty epoxy work pretty well?

 

[ringo®]

The secret is in twisting the plug into the super glue to break the skin the forms when glue hits saltwater.

 

[mikesmith34]

Ringo®;912288 wrote: The secret is in twisting the plug into the super glue to break the skin the forms when glue hits saltwater.

Why:doh: didn't I think of that

 

[tbryan]

The epoxy stick and super glue gel combo that barry mentioned works good for me. Doesnt have to be aquarium specific stuff either.Ive used a number of different stick epoxies and super glues with no ill effects.

 

[atmercure]

Ringo®;912288 wrote: The secret is in twisting the plug into the super glue to break the skin the forms when glue hits saltwater.

Yep. i glue the frag to the rocks. Get the super glue gel and put some on. dip it in the water and bring it back out and put on some more. build it up like this as much as you want then scrape or twist the glue against the rock. once the glue sticks to rock, push the frag into it, then i take a plastic spoon and pull the remainder of the glue out to the sides and into the rock. works good

 

[mikesmith34]

Got it. Seems as though more than a dab will do. More like a crap load. I had read this article about removing the acro frags from the plug and gluing it directly to the rock. Was curious about the consensus from everyone here that works with frags all the time. Thanx everyone

 

[ringo®]

Mikesmith34;912340 wrote: Got it. Seems as though more than a dab will do. More like a crap load. I had read this article about removing the acro frags from the plug and gluing it directly to the rock. Was curious about the consensus from everyone here that works with frags all the time. Thanx everyone

It's a more natural look, but it's going to stunt the growth again. I don't do it......it will encrust over the plug soon enough.

 

[snowmansnow]

barry_keith;912252 wrote: I break the "stem" of the plug off. I put superglue gel on the plug, then a small amount of two part opoxy, and a little more superglue gel on the top of the opoxy. Works well.

Edit: Off*

this.
you can hang them upside down like this if you want

 

[atmercure]

Mikesmith34;912340 wrote: Got it. Seems as though more than a dab will do. More like a crap load. I had read this article about removing the acro frags from the plug and gluing it directly to the rock. Was curious about the consensus from everyone here that works with frags all the time. Thanx everyone

yep. def takes more than a dab. close to one of those tubes usually. i always take mine off the plugs and glue directly to rock. theyll encrust pretty fast over the glue