frag plug alternatives

johnpaull · 04/23/2013, 10:02 AM

Hey all-
Im new to the fragging task and just bought a box of plugs. Ive used astria shells before but id like to know you experienced reefers tips/ideas. I have some pretty zoas id like to duplicate, some polyps arnt getting enough light and it makes sense to save em' and give them out to other friends. Ive read marble tiles, the ones ive seen at home eepot have a mortar on one side that im sure will degrade in salt water, would small river rocks work? Or should I make my own cement plugs eventually?

barry_keith · 04/23/2013, 10:08 AM

Ive collected shells and dead coral skeleton, stuff that washes up at the beach, before and used them. They are a lot more natural looking. I bleached them and let them sit in the sun before using just to be safe.

cpak240 · 04/23/2013, 10:53 AM

Live rock rubble is my favorite. It's looks so much better that plugs.

ksicard · 04/23/2013, 10:53 AM

smashing up a small rock and using the rubble or smaller pieces of rock for quick growing things like zoas.

ptreef · 04/23/2013, 11:21 AM

probably can get rubble from LFS for next to free!
I have heard many use tiles from HD/Lowes

leveldrummer · 04/23/2013, 11:54 AM

use rubble, it makes it so much easer to place in a tank when someone buys the frag from you. those tiles stick out like a sore thumb, and those round plugs arent any better, get yourself a peice of base rock, smash it into little pieces, pile the pieces up in your sump, and use those as you need them.

Reeferz412 · 04/23/2013, 01:19 PM

+1 on live rock rubble. Gives you a more natural feel and look than a square tile glued to a rock. I also use shells. I visit the keys a lot and find broken ones all over the place. Just take a hammer to a badly shaped LR and poof! you have frag rocks.

johnpaull · 04/24/2013, 09:29 AM

Thanks everyone, I have some new ideas to play with. Also, any type/brand of super glue gel that sets quicker than others? Is there any ground rules when zoas can be fragged, im using a common sense method now, anything I should look for size wise prior?

waterman78 · 05/16/2013, 11:13 AM

I too am a fan of rubble rock. Purchase a smal amount of dry rock if it's available to you.... make small piece and allow them to cure and color up in your sump.... place a frag on the piece of rock with the original Super Glue GEL and success is the result.

Good luck.

Larry

Spirofucci · 05/16/2013, 11:55 AM

For sure rubble is best, no frag plug look.

In addition to that, I glue a 1 1/2" or so of plastic chop stick on the bottom to place in a frag rack, its very easy to just snap off and glue to big rock in tank!

04/23/2013, 10:02 AM	#1
johnpaull Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: santa cruz California Posts: 4	frag plug alternatives Hey all- Im new to the fragging task and just bought a box of plugs. Ive used astria shells before but id like to know you experienced reefers tips/ideas. I have some pretty zoas id like to duplicate, some polyps arnt getting enough light and it makes sense to save em' and give them out to other friends. Ive read marble tiles, the ones ive seen at home eepot have a mortar on one side that im sure will degrade in salt water, would small river rocks work? Or should I make my own cement plugs eventually?

04/23/2013, 01:19 PM	#7
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	+1 on live rock rubble. Gives you a more natural feel and look than a square tile glued to a rock. I also use shells. I visit the keys a lot and find broken ones all over the place. Just take a hammer to a badly shaped LR and poof! you have frag rocks. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

05/16/2013, 11:13 AM	#9
waterman78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Van Nuys, CA Posts: 1,337	I too am a fan of rubble rock. Purchase a smal amount of dry rock if it's available to you.... make small piece and allow them to cure and color up in your sump.... place a frag on the piece of rock with the original Super Glue GEL and success is the result. Good luck. Larry __________________ I am truly grateful to receive any useful information about this hobby each day... :idea: Current Tank Info: Reef: 40g breeder with a Aquamaxx HOB skimmer, 250w MH pendant and a 1/10hp chiller.

04/23/2013, 10:08 AM	#2
barry_keith Moved On Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North GA Posts: 453	Ive collected shells and dead coral skeleton, stuff that washes up at the beach, before and used them. They are a lot more natural looking. I bleached them and let them sit in the sun before using just to be safe.

04/23/2013, 10:53 AM	#3
cpak240 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Port Huron, MI Posts: 3	Live rock rubble is my favorite. It's looks so much better that plugs.

04/23/2013, 10:53 AM	#4
ksicard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 538	smashing up a small rock and using the rubble or smaller pieces of rock for quick growing things like zoas.

04/23/2013, 11:21 AM	#5
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	probably can get rubble from LFS for next to free! I have heard many use tiles from HD/Lowes

04/23/2013, 11:54 AM	#6
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	use rubble, it makes it so much easer to place in a tank when someone buys the frag from you. those tiles stick out like a sore thumb, and those round plugs arent any better, get yourself a peice of base rock, smash it into little pieces, pile the pieces up in your sump, and use those as you need them.

04/24/2013, 09:29 AM	#8
johnpaull Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: santa cruz California Posts: 4	Thanks everyone, I have some new ideas to play with. Also, any type/brand of super glue gel that sets quicker than others? Is there any ground rules when zoas can be fragged, im using a common sense method now, anything I should look for size wise prior?

05/16/2013, 11:55 AM	#10
Spirofucci Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 389	For sure rubble is best, no frag plug look. In addition to that, I glue a 1 1/2" or so of plastic chop stick on the bottom to place in a frag rack, its very easy to just snap off and glue to big rock in tank!