how to attach corals to rock

kenny5130 · 04/27/2015, 07:19 AM

I have some leather corals with a stem and I just stick the stem into a hole in my live rock to attach. How do you attach frags that have the round piece of rock at it's base ? I am wondering how you anchor these to rock. For now, I just stick them in the sand.

Dmorty217 · 04/27/2015, 07:22 AM

If they are already attached to rock or rubble and want to attach the rubble to a piece of rock you can use super glue GEL

Lizzy_lray · 04/27/2015, 07:59 AM

Yeah there is a great underwater glue on bulk reef supply I've heard it works well. Either that or you could attach it to rubble then then wait until it grows on the desired rock.

JammyBirch · 04/27/2015, 08:06 AM

i just got into this this weekend...not fun. What i found to work the best was to remove the frag from the frag plug and attach it to a small piece of rubble...then attach the rubble to the rock work in the tank. This greatly reduces the handling of the frag and allows the frag to properly setup on the new rubble. The other advantage to this is that fitting the rubble on the rock work does not have to be glued right away, this lets you place it in different areas of the tank so you can find a spot that works best for you and the coral.

Trying to hold the frag on the rock work and gluing it or putting glue on frag and then trying to place it and hold it until the glue sets up really stinks...

I'm a newb to this but like the rubble manuever better.

CStrickland · 04/27/2015, 08:09 AM

Try searching the forum for the "sandwich" method. Layers of 2part epoxy and superglue work really well. There's a lot of threads on this.

brianr24 · 04/27/2015, 09:41 AM

I just went through this this mourning.I bought a Kenya tree that is attached on fairly large snail shell. Well my stupid hermits keep knocking it off into sandbed. I super glued (gel) it to d rd y rock I have that was dry and never in the tank yet then placed that on existing rock work.it seems it's going to work

scooter31707 · 04/27/2015, 11:14 AM

I use Reef Glue made by Seachem, never had a problem with it. Also works under water.

Rustyprop · 04/27/2015, 11:34 AM

Does anyone use Waterweld by J&B?
Is it reef safe?

homer1475 · 04/27/2015, 12:59 PM

I like to use the 2 part epoxy and super glue method.

The super glue holds the epoxy to the rubble or frag plug while the epoxy dries. Also the 2 part epoxy works better on rough surfaces then on a smooth surface like a frag plug.

As a side note, If I'm keeping my frag on the plug and want it on my rock, I use a pair of wire cutters and snip the plug end off and glue/epoxy the round disk to my rockwork.

smittysmith2 · 04/27/2015, 01:21 PM

Which brand of reef glue is best? Eco Tech highly touts theirs. I don't see where it offers any advantages to what y'all are suggesting.

scooter31707 · 04/27/2015, 02:18 PM

Like I said eariler, I use Seachem Reef Glue. I haven't used any other glue. It's fine for what I need it for and thats attaching coral to whatever. I don't even take my rock out the water, I just put the glue on the base of the coral and place it on the rock location and hold for about 5-10 seconds, Done, that simple.

CafeReef · 04/27/2015, 03:13 PM

I just used Instant Ocean HoldFast last night with the "sandwich method" mentioned above with my Kenya Tree with the frag plate still attached with great success. I couldnt be more happy with the outcome and the putty/epoxy will eventually be covered with coraline or the coral itself.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2499366

GMay · 04/27/2015, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustyprop

Does anyone use Waterweld by J&B?
Is it reef safe?

I use it and it works well. Even costs less. I tested it because it said it was safe for potable water applications and have been happy with it ever since.

homer1475 · 04/27/2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Like I said eariler, I use Seachem Reef Glue. I haven't used any other glue. It's fine for what I need it for and thats attaching coral to whatever. I don't even take my rock out the water, I just put the glue on the base of the coral and place it on the rock location and hold for about 5-10 seconds, Done, that simple.

Why pay twice the price for super glue from your LFS when you can buy it at the local convenience store for half the price?? All your buying is cyanoacrylate, super glue. It is a bit thicker, but that's about it. Loctite super glue gel is the same thing.

If you do plan on using regular super glue, just make sure its the gel kind. The regular watery super glue will just cure to fast, and will make a huge mess in your tank.

Mythicalelf · 04/27/2015, 07:36 PM

I either use the sandwich method or just super glue gel.

04/27/2015, 07:19 AM	#1
kenny5130 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 49	how to attach corals to rock I have some leather corals with a stem and I just stick the stem into a hole in my live rock to attach. How do you attach frags that have the round piece of rock at it's base ? I am wondering how you anchor these to rock. For now, I just stick them in the sand.

04/27/2015, 07:22 AM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	If they are already attached to rock or rubble and want to attach the rubble to a piece of rock you can use super glue GEL __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/27/2015, 07:59 AM	#3
Lizzy_lray Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 295	Yeah there is a great underwater glue on bulk reef supply I've heard it works well. Either that or you could attach it to rubble then then wait until it grows on the desired rock. __________________ Currently 20 gallon Nano 12lbs tonga liverock ~still cycling Current Tank Info: Established is December 2015 20 gal high nano reef. A beautiful mix of softies, LPS, SPS mix i love different textures and movements

04/27/2015, 08:06 AM	#4
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	i just got into this this weekend...not fun. What i found to work the best was to remove the frag from the frag plug and attach it to a small piece of rubble...then attach the rubble to the rock work in the tank. This greatly reduces the handling of the frag and allows the frag to properly setup on the new rubble. The other advantage to this is that fitting the rubble on the rock work does not have to be glued right away, this lets you place it in different areas of the tank so you can find a spot that works best for you and the coral. Trying to hold the frag on the rock work and gluing it or putting glue on frag and then trying to place it and hold it until the glue sets up really stinks... I'm a newb to this but like the rubble manuever better. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

04/27/2015, 12:59 PM	#9
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I like to use the 2 part epoxy and super glue method. The super glue holds the epoxy to the rubble or frag plug while the epoxy dries. Also the 2 part epoxy works better on rough surfaces then on a smooth surface like a frag plug. As a side note, If I'm keeping my frag on the plug and want it on my rock, I use a pair of wire cutters and snip the plug end off and glue/epoxy the round disk to my rockwork. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/27/2015, 08:09 AM	#5
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	Try searching the forum for the "sandwich" method. Layers of 2part epoxy and superglue work really well. There's a lot of threads on this.

04/27/2015, 09:41 AM	#6
brianr24 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: P.A. Posts: 256	I just went through this this mourning.I bought a Kenya tree that is attached on fairly large snail shell. Well my stupid hermits keep knocking it off into sandbed. I super glued (gel) it to d rd y rock I have that was dry and never in the tank yet then placed that on existing rock work.it seems it's going to work

04/27/2015, 11:14 AM	#7
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I use Reef Glue made by Seachem, never had a problem with it. Also works under water.

04/27/2015, 11:34 AM	#8
Rustyprop Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 54	Does anyone use Waterweld by J&B? Is it reef safe?

04/27/2015, 01:21 PM	#10
smittysmith2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 82	Which brand of reef glue is best? Eco Tech highly touts theirs. I don't see where it offers any advantages to what y'all are suggesting.

04/27/2015, 02:18 PM	#11
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Like I said eariler, I use Seachem Reef Glue. I haven't used any other glue. It's fine for what I need it for and thats attaching coral to whatever. I don't even take my rock out the water, I just put the glue on the base of the coral and place it on the rock location and hold for about 5-10 seconds, Done, that simple.

04/27/2015, 03:13 PM	#12
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	I just used Instant Ocean HoldFast last night with the "sandwich method" mentioned above with my Kenya Tree with the frag plate still attached with great success. I couldnt be more happy with the outcome and the putty/epoxy will eventually be covered with coraline or the coral itself. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2499366 __________________ 50 Gallon cube

04/27/2015, 07:36 PM	#15
Mythicalelf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: USA Posts: 315	I either use the sandwich method or just super glue gel.