How do you keep corals temporarily in place?

[DracoKat]

I want to try a few locations of frags, see how they do before gluing them down. However, in most cases I can't seem to keep the frags in place with just the plug and I don't want to glue until I am sure that's where I want them.

How do you temporarily keep corals in place with the possible intention of moving them later on?

 

[Waters]

I use one of the coral epoxy sticks and/or super glue. Pretty much anything you use (including super glue) is only temporary and can be removed with not too much effort. The only time a frag becomes immovable for me is when it encrusts.

 

[JackDE]

Wedge the plug between two rocks. Or find a crevice in a rock to stick the plug in.

 

[DracoKat]

thanks- I guess gluing anyway would be best and pull it apart if needed. Note to self, get more glue

In most areas I can't wedge the plug in, where I want them to be- which makes it harder for me

 

[ksc]

As stated above, just glueepoxy them in place. They are easily removed if you want to relocate. "Wedging" sometimes comes back to haunt you as inevitably, somehow they get knocked out. I've lost a few....

 

[DracoKat]

yea, that's the other thing about wedging the frags in. they do get knocked out. One of my zoas fell and I can't reach it under the rocks and I can't move them to get it, so I know it's gone now.

 

[CarrieB]

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[kireek]

I have a majority of my corals wedged into place.One of my favorite items to use is skeletons from birdnest or other branching corals.Wedge or glue your plug into a tight spot and kind of cage it inside.Then you can move the whole piece around.It may not look pretty at first but it will create a more stable base that is more difficult to topple.In addition the coral can grow onto the structure for a decent amount of time before becoming too permanent.

 

[DracoKat]

I have a majority of my corals wedged into place.One of my favorite items to use is skeletons from birdnest or other branching corals.Wedge or glue your plug into a tight spot and kind of cage it inside.Then you can move the whole piece around.It may not look pretty at first but it will create a more stable base that is more difficult to topple.In addition the coral can grow onto the structure for a decent amount of time before becoming too permanent.

Can you show a photo of what you mean?

 

[MaddyP]

I use Instamorph to mount everything, plug or no plug. It's easy to remove and can be reused. Drop in hot water and mold once the pellets turn clear. All my corals encrust right over it if left long enough. Reefbuilders did a recent spot on a reef focused product similar to this...

 

[kireek]

Here are some pictures for you finally @DracoKat !

Using a coral skeleton,this one looks like a old digi...



Wedge your plugs between the branches.







A example in tank.These two corals started on frag plugs and are entrusting the pocillopora skeleton.At this point they can be moved around as a pair.Or the piece can be cut apart with bone cutters.


.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Here are some pictures for you finally @DracoKat !

Using a coral skeleton,this one looks like a old digi...



Wedge your plugs between the branches.







A example in tank.These two corals started on frag plugs and are entrusting the pocillopora skeleton.At this point they can be moved around as a pair.Or the piece can be cut apart with bone cutters.


.

Thats cool! I made a "zoa tree" kinda like that.