Whats my fragging problem

[Vitaly]

Well I got several nice Xenia frags from TraceyJean. But I cannot seem to keep them in place. I tried:

1) Pinching them between live rock. They just got out.
2) Sewing them down using fishing line. Their stalk just disintegrated from around the line.
3) Gluing them down with Loc-Tite Super Gel. Held them for about 12 hours and then they popped free.

Are there any other approaches that I can try?

I know an additional strategy is to place the frags in a small container with rubble and cover the container with mesh so they do not float out and way for them to attach to the rubble.

<B>Thanks!</B>

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stepensk/shared/Xenia2.JPG

[JMeesh]

i superglued, and they fell off twice. the 3rd time they stuck! good luck

meesh

[Vitaly]

Interesting. I have gone through two rounds myself. I was not planning to do a third round, but now you got me curious <B>meesh</B> :-)

I assume your re-applied the glue to the same spots or do you different different places?

Did you pull off the old, dried, crusty glue or did you leave it in place?

Do you remember the type of glue you used?

Thanks <B>meesh</B>!

[lcashman]

You have all three tried and true methods listed.

My suggestion would be to pinch the frag (as close to the top of the stock) between two rocks in a low flow area. I know this sounds mean, but give the xenia about a week and it will have attached to one if not both rocks.
Then you might end of saying...."why did I get this stuff, it's almost as bad as ...."

[cioutlaw]

Ive done something similar to Vitalitys last method..go to Illini plastics(if your in the C-U area) & have them cut some 2" clear acrylic tube about 4-5" long, push it into the sand, throw some rubble in with the frag & your good in a few days to a week.

http://www.hartdragracing.com/DSC01453.JPG

[RV8tor]

Try going to http://www.garf.org/ and look under propagation and under xenia, they use a fishnet version and then glue the fishnet to the rock. Good luck. I am finally getting rid of my xenia.

[tcottle]

I have used the fishing line technique with success. Thread 1/2" from the end. Tie loosely (just enough to ensure contact with the rock) and place in low flow

[latazyo]

use some fine mesh material, such as veil material (tulle)

put the coral and a rock together and wrap the stuff around it

this is what I do with mushrooms, etc

[Texa$]

i'm all about transfering stuff pre-attached to rubble if possible. i don't like to rip stuff off of something or hope that it will stick to something before one of my fish decides to see if it will move. i had a clown that would just test everything out when first installed into the tank just to see what it was.

[UH_OH_5_OH]

I use zip ties....and cinch them down juuuuuust enough so that the tie inhibits movement of the stalk ! ! !


But I like the idea of the acrylic tubes....Ryan at Illini plastics is a great guy and will set you up with whatever you need !

[TOURKID]

well i tried all these ways too and they dident work, i got some advice from here on reef central and it worked!!
( i also happened to buy fama the other day and it has an article on fraging soft corals, they also had this method in there.

fama says plastic, i used wooden:

stick a toothpick in the center on the top, down thru the stock, stick end of toothpic it appropriate whole in a rock.

(my rock had a hole that went to another hole so it stayed really well) but i also rubberbanded the end of toothpick to the rock as well.

after i could tell it was mounted i removed the toothpick, it looked a tad bit crappy for 4 or so days, but its been a week now and it looks just like it did before i bothered it.

[cioutlaw]

Yep i have used the toothpick method for a leather before..actually I broke off the teeth of a plastic fork..felt just like Mcgyver:D

[Vitaly]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and comments. I decided to go with the tulle/mesh that was suggested by <B>latazyo</B>. Picked a roll up from Michaels in Champaign for about $2. It was very easy to do.
<center>
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stepensk/shared/Xenia/1.JPG

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stepensk/shared/Xenia/2.JPG
</center>
So how long should I leave the tulle/mesh on for? I woud imagine it takes approximately 4-5 days, yes?

Thanks again!!!

[latazyo]

great idea vitaly

umm...I have never really counted how long its on there, just basically left it on for about a week...however long I was in between tank visits with my hands