Getting Coral to Attach to Rock Work

[crazyfishmom]

Hello all,

I am very annoyed because despite my best efforts some of my corals keep falling off wherever I place them. I am using cyanocrylate based super glue. I try to let it scan and wiggle it to make sure that it fills the spaces between the frag plug and the rock but some of them are still getting knocked off by either fish or snails. Any tricks/tips uo your sleeves? I have some more reef safe epoxy on the way but I really don’t like the stuff. Please and thank you!

 

[ryanjohn1]

Glue on plug or coral then epoxy putty then more glue. Smush onto rock

 

[Lavey29]

Hello all,

I am very annoyed because despite my best efforts some of my corals keep falling off wherever I place them. I am using cyanocrylate based super glue. I try to let it scan and wiggle it to make sure that it fills the spaces between the frag plug and the rock but some of them are still getting knocked off by either fish or snails. Any tricks/tips uo your sleeves? I have some more reef safe epoxy on the way but I really don’t like the stuff. Please and thank you!

I use this with good success. You have to apply very liberally and hold the plug in place for a few minutes.

Coral Glue - FAST AND EASY REEF CUSTOMIZATION

Coral Glue from EcoTech Marine sets a new standard for ease of use, curing time, versatility and durability. This coral glue features superior intermolecular bonding that sets underwater.

ecotechmarine.com

 

[Uncle99]

Hello all,

I am very annoyed because despite my best efforts some of my corals keep falling off wherever I place them. I am using cyanocrylate based super glue. I try to let it scan and wiggle it to make sure that it fills the spaces between the frag plug and the rock but some of them are still getting knocked off by either fish or snails. Any tricks/tips uo your sleeves? I have some more reef safe epoxy on the way but I really don’t like the stuff. Please and thank you!

You use the Gel stuff?
All mine stick find.
So put some on, hold in a cup of tank water, count to 30, this will build a skin, then attach flow off for an hour.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all,

I am very annoyed because despite my best efforts some of my corals keep falling off wherever I place them. I am using cyanocrylate based super glue. I try to let it scan and wiggle it to make sure that it fills the spaces between the frag plug and the rock but some of them are still getting knocked off by either fish or snails. Any tricks/tips uo your sleeves? I have some more reef safe epoxy on the way but I really don’t like the stuff. Please and thank you!

You want gel super glue or preferably IP coral glue or even BRS gel coral glue and assure flow is cut down while glue cures which is a full 1-2 minutes

 

[crazyfishmom]

Glue on plug or coral then epoxy putty then more glue. Smush onto rock

Is that because the epoxy putty binds better to the glue than the frag plugs? Thanks for the recommendation, just trying to understand why it works better than directly gluing! Will try!

 

[crazyfishmom]

You want gel super glue or preferably IP coral glue or even BRS gel coral glue and assure flow is cut down while glue cures which is a full 1-2 minutes

Thanks for the recommendation. I am using the gel version of super glue and have tried the stuff from BRS too. Have not been shutting off the flow so will try that!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is that because the epoxy putty binds better to the glue than the frag plugs? Thanks for the recommendation, just trying to understand why it works better than directly gluing! Will try!

I personally use holdfast putty by instant ocean which cures under water and hugs the coral very well and comes in coraline tone also.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Gets you more surface contact area for glue

 

[crazyfishmom]

You use the Gel stuff?
All mine stick find.
So put some on, hold in a cup of tank water, count to 30, this will build a skin, then attach flow off for an hour.

Thanks! This is one of the ones I’ve tried. Sounds like a theme where I haven’t been shutting off the flow but should. Will try!

 

[crazyfishmom]

I personally use holdfast putty by instant ocean which cures under water and hugs the coral very well and comes in coraline tone also.

This is what’s on the way. I used it for my rock work and it did great… just kinda hate working with it but definitely works!

 

[crazyfishmom]

I use this with good success. You have to apply very liberally and hold the plug in place for a few minutes.

Coral Glue - FAST AND EASY REEF CUSTOMIZATION

Coral Glue from EcoTech Marine sets a new standard for ease of use, curing time, versatility and durability. This coral glue features superior intermolecular bonding that sets underwater.

ecotechmarine.com

Just placed an order for it. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Lavey29]

Just placed an order for it. Thanks for the recommendation!

Are you trying to glue flat plugs onto the rocks or do you have the stems attached to the plugs and trying to drop those in holes on your rocks?

 

[crazyfishmom]

Are you trying to glue flat plugs onto the rocks or do you have the stems attached to the plugs and trying to drop those in holes on your rocks?

A bit of both. When I’m able to stick the stems into the rock work they tend to be fine. The flat plugs are being more problematic.

 

[TL1]

100 million % this. So easy works, every time, for me... green top gorilla glue + this epoxy

 

[DJF]

+1 epoxy and glue. Glue holds it until epoxy dries- took me years to realize how much glue I was wasting.

 

[crazyfishmom]

100 million % this. So easy works, every time, for me... green top gorilla glue + this epoxy

Okay… I think you’ve all convinced me this combo is the way to go. Thank you!

 

[KandAReefs]

Hello all,

I am very annoyed because despite my best efforts some of my corals keep falling off wherever I place them. I am using cyanocrylate based super glue. I try to let it scan and wiggle it to make sure that it fills the spaces between the frag plug and the rock but some of them are still getting knocked off by either fish or snails. Any tricks/tips uo your sleeves? I have some more reef safe epoxy on the way but I really don’t like the stuff. Please and thank you!

You could also take the coral itself off the frag plug and attach it to the rock itself. Often the plugs don't fit to the rocks well leaving space for a snail to get under an edge and break it off.

 

[crazyfishmom]

You could also take the coral itself off the frag plug and attach it to the rock itself. Often the plugs don't fit to the rocks well leaving space for a snail to get under an edge and break it off.

Fair; I’ve done that to some when it’s easy for them to come off. When not, I’d rather not try to force it or trim the coral to do it so I stick with the plugs.

 

[schooncw]

Is that because the epoxy putty binds better to the glue than the frag plugs? Thanks for the recommendation, just trying to understand why it works better than directly gluing! Will try!

That’s what I do!