Acans, frag plugs, and proper growth

[Glass Algae]

Just purchased my first acan! Very pleased with it.

It is a small cluster about 1.5 to 2 inches around and came not on a frag plug. I secured it onto a small frag plug so I could have it sit in my substrate and not tip.

I have heard others here talk about attaching a cans to 3 inch disks so it grows out properly and not into a ball.

Is a 3 incher disk reccomended? Could I scoot away with using a 2inch?

Does anyone have any other tips and tricks on how I should allow this to grow?


Much love reefers!

 

[PicassoClown04]

Hi! Personally, I prefer my acans on my rock work (pics below), but it is entirely your choice! I think the ball look is pretty cool, but if you want it to encrust that’s perfectly fine as well! Since you already glued it to the plug, I’d cut the stem off the plug (making a very small disk) then place that on top of a larger disk when it gets too large for just the plug if you want it to encrust. This way you don’t risk damaging it by trying to remove it from the plug and it doesn’t take up so much bottom space while the actual coral is so tiny. It also lets you have a little time to decide what shape you want to go with. happy reefing! Let’s see some pics of the new guy!

 

[Glass Algae]

Hi! Personally, I prefer my acans on my rock work (pics below), but it is entirely your choice! I think the ball look is pretty cool, but if you want it to encrust that’s perfectly fine as well! Since you already glued it to the plug, I’d cut the stem off the plug (making a very small disk) then place that on top of a larger disk when it gets too large for just the plug if you want it to encrust. This way you don’t risk damaging it by trying to remove it from the plug and it doesn’t take up so much bottom space while the actual coral is so tiny. It also lets you have a little time to decide what shape you want to go with. happy reefing! Let’s see some pics of the new guy!

Wow thanks so much that was great info!

The acan itself had some superglue on the bottom making a faux foot so that is what I glued the frag plug to. So I'm not sure the shape it would go of I went this plug minus stem to disk.

I'll attach a Pic you let me know what you think!
Also have no name for what kind of acan this is (like these wierd weed names for coral matter

Also I use current orbit LEDs in a Fluval evo 13. Think I can get away with substrating this guy?

Also your acan garden is gorgeous

At the end also I'll attach my butcher job of some GSP I wanted on the back wall idk why I though a flag plug wouldn't look ridiculous. I don't think it will fix itself I'm going to have to remove and re add it. Smh

 

[PicassoClown04]

Wow that’s a nice acan! If you want to re-seperate it from the plug and let it grow flat that will work fine, or you can let it make the sphere shape, whatever you choose will be gorgeous! As for the GSP, I’d recommend supergluing directly to the wall, makes it smoother

 

[Glass Algae]

Wow that’s a nice acan! If you want to re-seperate it from the plug and let it grow flat that will work fine, or you can let it make the sphere shape, whatever you choose will be gorgeous! As for the GSP, I’d recommend supergluing directly to the wall, makes it smoother

I'll just try and bone cut the glue close to the frag plug as possible. If I wanted it a bit more flat you reccomend 2 or 3 inch disks for my tank size? Think it'll be fine on the su state in my tank?

Also with gsp you think I should also lose the plug?

 

[DSEKULA]

Sweet looking acan, good luck with it.
On the gsp id glue flat where you want to attach otherwise it will always that that bump. Just a heasd up though ive read that gsp can grow into the silicone seams of a glass tank and push the silicone out.

 

[Glass Algae]

Sweet looking acan, good luck with it.
On the gsp id glue flat where you want to attach otherwise it will always that that bump. Just a heasd up though ive read that gsp can grow into the silicone seams of a glass tank and push the silicone out.

Ty for the heads up on that Ill keep an eye on it and won't let it get to close to the edges!

 

[PicassoClown04]

Yep! I do think you should grow the gsp very flat. I’d say do a 2” disk, you can always transfer it to a larger disk later and there’s no reason to waste all that bottom space right now

 

[Glass Algae]

Yep! I do think you should grow the gsp very flat. I’d say do a 2” disk, you can always transfer it to a larger disk later and there’s no reason to waste all that bottom space right now

Ty ty!