Attaching/ gluing coral frags

[JiminyCat]

I tried out a two part underwater epoxy, but it does not adhere due to a thin layer of green algae on my rock. In fact, it barely adheres to the relatively algae free frags! The tank is new but cycled and I am battling high phosphates... sloooowly dropping... but that's aside from the point. How do I attach frags in the meantime? What's your tried & true method?


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[skinz78]

Super glue gel, put a dab on the frag out of the water and then place it on the rock where you want it. Move it around a little bit to get the glue kinda smeared under the frag and then hold it there for 30 seconds or until it stays.

 

[JiminyCat]

What if the destination rock cannot be pulled out of the water? Does the superglue still work or do both pieces need to be out of the water?


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[mainereefer]

epoxy where you want the frag and superglue it to it

 

[cdness]

The underwater epoxy is odd stuff. I always do Frag -> super glue -> Epoxy -> Super glue -> Rockwork as this has never failed to adhere. You still have to hold it, but the epoxy creates a more contoured surface for the glue to adhere to.

 

[totion]

The underwater epoxy is odd stuff. I always do Frag -> super glue -> Epoxy -> Super glue -> Rockwork as this has never failed to adhere. You still have to hold it, but the epoxy creates a more contoured surface for the glue to adhere to.

This is how I do it also. Works every time

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[skinz78]

What if the destination rock cannot be pulled out of the water? Does the superglue still work or do both pieces need to be out of the water?


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Nope, the rock can stay in the water, I think it works better this way anyhow.

 

[afamousjohnson]

Im with skins. Make sure its the gel though. I will also take a chop stick after the fact to spread the extra blobs that came out the sides when glueing and spread them down to the rockwork for extra hold and look purposes. Can't beat 3 tubes in a pack at the 1$ store.

 

[JiminyCat]

Okay then... Super glue gel epoxy super glue gel and epoxy. I'm assuming as each layer is applied, they kinda intermix a bit?


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[scrapz]

Epoxy like aquamend/aquastick doesn't really help. It gives you a moldable shape so its good for that but can still easily be knocked off with the glue/epoxy/glue/frag plug route.

If its just a frag plug, I just use super glue (quick drying like IC-Gel, not dollar tree ones). The trick is to twist it onto the rock and make sure the super glue bubble pops undeneath then use a toothpick to pop the remaining glue that has spilled onto the side frag plug.

 

[Mr. Microscope]

The underwater epoxy is odd stuff. I always do Frag -> super glue -> Epoxy -> Super glue -> Rockwork as this has never failed to adhere. You still have to hold it, but the epoxy creates a more contoured surface for the glue to adhere to.

+1. I use the sandwich method as well. It works especially well with larger frags and corals. With small zoa frags or SPS, sometimes superglue alone is enough.

 

[JiminyCat]

Thanks for all the info. I'm gonna start with quick drying Ace superglue 1st and work my way to the more inconvenient methods if necessary. I just wasn't sure if standard superglue would set & cure under water and be animal-safe ( toxin free).


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[impur]

Thanks for all the info. I'm gonna start with quick drying Ace superglue 1st and work my way to the more inconvenient methods if necessary. I just wasn't sure if standard superglue would set & cure under water and be animal-safe ( toxin free).


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Has to be superglue GEL, not the standard stuff.

 

[Engloid]

I use plain Gorilla superglue for most everything. The gel is probably needed if you're not doing it outside the tank. The liquid superglue will not stay on your part well to do it in the tank.

As for epoxy...the clay epoxy stuff won't stick to much of anything at all. You just mold it into shape and press it into holes in the rock to hold it. In other words, it won't stick, but it will hold its shape. If its shape includes curves and places it's pressed into the rock to "hook" itself on, it's good to go.

I recently had a brain type of coral and drilled a hole in the bottom of it. I put a stainless screw in it a little bit, then the screw head was used as an anchor when I molded epoxy around it.

 

[glb]

I actually put some superglue on the rock (yes I put the tube in my tank to do this) and then a little on the frag. I hold it in place for about 30 seconds. Not foolproof but the best way I've found yet.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[JiminyCat]

I bought a bottle of Loctite superglue gel. The frag is about 2" and seems to be holding well. Thanks for the suggestions!


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