how to attach montipora cap frag to rock?

vickreyreef · 10/24/2009, 02:24 PM

i have a frag that isn't on any kind of plug....its so thin I feel like it is very fragile...how do I best attach it to live rock? Epoxy? I am used to frags having a plug or LR attached to it already...I have been spoiled I suppose LOL....

mrsmithers · 10/24/2009, 02:32 PM

epoxy works great. Also if you have a piece of LR you want to glue it on and you can pull the rock out, glue it tothe LR with super glue gel

username in use · 10/24/2009, 02:37 PM

shove a little epoxy in a crack and then shove the monti into that, itll encrust over it pretty quick.

vickreyreef · 10/24/2009, 02:49 PM

awesome!

thanks!!!!!

jflick345 · 10/24/2009, 03:02 PM

I prefer the piece of rubble and super glue method myself

lordofthereef · 10/24/2009, 03:08 PM

Either method you used, if you haven't done it before, note that once the stuff hits the salt water IME it hardens almost instantly (I use the loctite stuff for epoxy and whatever is cheap for superglue, think I have a coupoe tubes of 3M atm), so work fast!

kawicivic · 10/24/2009, 03:14 PM

The fact that superglue hardens instantly when put into the water can be used to your advantage. Many people put a liberal amount of superglue onto the rock and then dip it into the water to form a skin over the superglue gel and then press the coral into the gel. This gives a little support to the coral to help it stay in place. Once in place, you should dip it into the water again to get it to set-up. Now carefully set it down where you want it and it should be good to go. Hope this helps!

Gary Majchrzak · 10/24/2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickreyreef

i have a frag that isn't on any kind of plug....its so thin I feel like it is very fragile...how do I best attach it to live rock? Epoxy? I am used to frags having a plug or LR attached to it already...I have been spoiled I suppose LOL....

for many reefkeepers it's actually easier if a frag isn't attached to a plug or mounted on rubble. The Home Depot sell Aquamend (epoxy putty) and Loctite Superglue GEL. (Make sure to get the GEL!)
One or the other (or a combination of both for larger corals) works best to attach corals underwater to existing live rock.

vickreyreef · 10/24/2009, 04:36 PM

thanks everyone. What we have done in the past is just do a sandwich of super glue and epoxy but that was on stuff that had live rock or plugs on it....so this is my first naked frag LOL....

10/24/2009, 02:24 PM	#1
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	how to attach montipora cap frag to rock? i have a frag that isn't on any kind of plug....its so thin I feel like it is very fragile...how do I best attach it to live rock? Epoxy? I am used to frags having a plug or LR attached to it already...I have been spoiled I suppose LOL....

10/24/2009, 02:37 PM	#3
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	shove a little epoxy in a crack and then shove the monti into that, itll encrust over it pretty quick. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

10/24/2009, 03:08 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Either method you used, if you haven't done it before, note that once the stuff hits the salt water IME it hardens almost instantly (I use the loctite stuff for epoxy and whatever is cheap for superglue, think I have a coupoe tubes of 3M atm), so work fast! __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/24/2009, 02:32 PM	#2
mrsmithers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: san diego CA Posts: 201	epoxy works great. Also if you have a piece of LR you want to glue it on and you can pull the rock out, glue it tothe LR with super glue gel

10/24/2009, 02:49 PM	#4
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	awesome! thanks!!!!!

10/24/2009, 03:02 PM	#5
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	I prefer the piece of rubble and super glue method myself

10/24/2009, 03:14 PM	#7
kawicivic Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rockford Posts: 2,316	The fact that superglue hardens instantly when put into the water can be used to your advantage. Many people put a liberal amount of superglue onto the rock and then dip it into the water to form a skin over the superglue gel and then press the coral into the gel. This gives a little support to the coral to help it stay in place. Once in place, you should dip it into the water again to get it to set-up. Now carefully set it down where you want it and it should be good to go. Hope this helps!

10/24/2009, 04:36 PM	#9
vickreyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nova Posts: 331	thanks everyone. What we have done in the past is just do a sandwich of super glue and epoxy but that was on stuff that had live rock or plugs on it....so this is my first naked frag LOL....