Placing Corals Without Plugs

[retiredsailor]

I hope this is the correct sub forum for this post. If not, mods please move it to the correct location and accept my profuse apologies.

What are some good methods of removing corals from plugs? And then, obviously, what are some good methods, or products, to affix those corals to a suitable location?

I'm getting tired of seeing the plugs and also repositioning them after a crab, snail or shrimp decides they need to be moved. I imagine if they asked me first and we discussed it I wouldn't mind as much. But when they just unilaterally make decisions I get a little upset.

I understand the plugs are useful to find the best position for optimal growth and health. But once that's done, after a few weeks I would like to get rid of the plugs for a more natural appearance. So if someone with more experience than me (which is probably 99% of you) could sacrifice a little time to educate me I would be immensely appreciative. Thanks in advance.

Ian

 

[heathd.hd]

Most people use gel super glue. pretty much any gel super glue will work. There's also a putty type water weld epoxy stuff for bigger jobs.

 

[evolved]

I hope this is the correct sub forum for this post. If not, mods please move it to the correct location and accept my profuse apologies.

You're fine; no need to be so concerned about it. I'm often the one reshuffling the location of things because I'm way too type-A. It's really not a big deal if things occasionally end up in the "wrong" place.

 

[evolved]

And bone cutters to remove the coral from the plug.

Most people use gel super glue. pretty much any gel super glue will work.

 

[retiredsailor]

You're fine; no need to be so concerned about it. I'm often the one reshuffling the location of things because I'm way too type-A. It's really not a big deal if things occasionally end up in the "wrong" place.

For the most part I was being sarcastic. But at the same time it does bother me a bit because I hate making extra work for others.

 

[kireek]

A flat head screw driver works well to remove corals from frag plugs,provided the frag is not well encrusted.Aim under the old seal.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

I use heavy duty wire cutters the cut off the bottom part of the plug, I hardly ever remove the coral from the round part. If it's a fresh cut I might tho. If the plug is dirty I'll use a small brush to scrub off any undesirable stuff. I use loc-tite gel superglue. Use a small amount, rub the plug against the rock a little bit and hold in place for 45 seconds. Works like a charm, HTH

 

[Brinkfish312]

I do the same. Cut the post off the plug, then just glue the round part to the rock. Covers easily but easy to pull off the disc if you have to instead of just a coral if it needs to be moved

 

[JoeIII]

A flat head screw driver works well to remove corals from frag plugs,provided the frag is not well encrusted.Aim under the old seal.

I didn't want to be the first to admit it, but this is what I do as well.

 

[glb]

I didn't want to be the first to admit it, but this is what I do as well.

I do this too if the frag isn't too new. It always pops right off the base and the hard glue residue on the coral makes a good base to glue it to the rock without getting glue on the coral itself. So far no casualties.

 

[retiredsailor]

Thanks very much everyone! I started adding corals around last October. I've had more success than failures. Mainly by going slow and sticking with easier, or more forgiving pieces. I've stuck primarily with zoas and gotten some good growth but none of them have grown beyond the plugs. I have one ric (at least I'm pretty confident it's a ric) that has grown far beyond its plug, but really that's the only one. And if it isn't a ric I'm still very proud of myself for how well it has progressed.

My maybe Ric.

 

[madtownguy]

Hmm I hate those plugs, I thought there would be an easier way to remove them. I might try dental floss, that's how I remove the model plates of my vehicles, in theory it should work. I have a survivalist tree cutter that is like metal wire floss if that doesn't work. I usually bought things with no plugs, I think I will start doing that again.