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08/07/2014, 07:12 AM | #1 |
Espo
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Akron, ohio
Posts: 447
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Keep corals on plugs, or no? What do you do?
So when you guys/gals have some corals on a plug, do you transfer them to live rock? Or leave them on the plug for the corals whole life? Ex. Zoas, is it best to keep them on a plug, or place them on established live rock? Your thougts and advice please
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08/07/2014, 09:51 AM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 619
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I always take my corals off the plug regardless of the type. Zoanthids and a lot of Acropora will eventually cover or encrust the plug but I hate the way it looks in that time period.
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08/08/2014, 03:51 PM | #3 |
code monkey
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: south bay
Posts: 6,223
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If they're already pretty grown onto the plug I tend to leave them there, otherwise I pop them off but to each their own
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I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros |
08/12/2014, 08:41 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 68
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What's the best way to remove them from the plug?
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08/13/2014, 08:18 AM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 619
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For Zoanthids, I just use a scalpel that came with a coral fragging kit. I will just slightly push the tip of the scalpel underneath the rubble and the Zoanthids usually just pop right off. Even if some of the Zoanthids have spread to the frag disc you can usually get them off with minimal effort too, just make sure you get underneath and as close to the disc as possible to minimize any losses. Any similar razor or flat, thin knife will work too. If I am removing an Acropora from a plug I just use bone cutters and clip it right at its base. If the Acropora has already started to encrust the plug than I just leave it be.
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08/13/2014, 10:27 AM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ABQ, NM
Posts: 310
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I've notice that some corals encrust their base alot easier/faster off the plug than on the plug but its a preference. When possible i prefer to remove corals from their plugs if possible. i like the natural look of the coral mounted on the rock than a plug on the rock unless you cover the plug with epoxy.
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- You just can't only have one REEF Tank lol. Current Tank Info: 125 gal Mixed Reef & 100 Gal Reef setup |
08/13/2014, 09:05 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 68
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So if we do take them off of the frag plate or plug, how do you get them to stay on the live rock
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08/13/2014, 09:13 PM | #8 |
DR Octopod
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 380
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It seems like the guys that do take them off have them in a grow out tank of some sort, or use underwater glue? I would love to see/hear more of what works for them. And why?
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For a fish today, i will gladly pay you Tuesday. What tha Frag! Current Tank Info: 240gal mixed reef build in the works |
08/13/2014, 09:34 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 101
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You can use coral glue or some people just use plain old super glue to get them to stick. Not sure if that works but I might try it sometime haha.
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08/13/2014, 09:37 PM | #10 |
They Got My Number
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 6,898
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I always take the coral off the plug. I use plain cyanoacrylate gel (superglue brand right now, but whatever is on sale) to glue the frags onto the rocks.
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08/14/2014, 08:01 AM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 619
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I have used both superglue gel and the reef epoxy for securing corals but found that when I use both together, it works best. I put a small bead of SG gel where you will be securing coral to rock. You then place enough reef epoxy to cover the bead of gel (depending on size of coral, youll use more or less). After your epoxy is stuck to bead of super glue you apply another, slightly larger bead of super glue on top of the epoxy. Just make sure not to smother the bottom of the coral with epoxy/glue, a little bit really does go a long way. Then just pop it into your tank and push down and twist slightly. The push and twist is to get the bubble that forms around the superglue to pop and stick to the rock and also to work the epoxy in. If mounting at extreme angles where the coral isnt upright, you can generally get away with just holding it in place with light pressure for 1 minute or so. Best method I have found so far for mounting frags and getting them to stay put. I have quite a few heavy Acropora and other coral that are mounted almost sideways and havent had one fall on me yet.
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08/14/2014, 08:18 AM | #12 | |
colors and textures
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Petaluma CA
Posts: 6,301
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Quote:
While it can appear that your freshly mounted frags are sitting on little marshmallows initially, coraline will encrust the epoxy and it will look very natural eventually.
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The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs |
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08/14/2014, 12:07 PM | #13 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 8
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I leave them on the plug or disk. But again, I have a tendency to drop things. It's more out of necessity than actual preference.
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08/16/2014, 12:46 PM | #14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 596
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For zoas I like to leave them on the plug and place the plug somewhere in my rockwork. Once the zoas grow off the plug and onto the surrounding rocks I remove the plug with zoas still on it and trade that frag for others that I may want!
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-John (threemoneyj is an anagram) -120 mixed reef. 50 cadlights cube. 40B cardinal/dragonet breeding tank/frag tank. |
08/16/2014, 02:57 PM | #15 |
Espo
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Akron, ohio
Posts: 447
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I'm doing zoas mostly, so that's helpful. i heard they grow faster on rock, but i like to have the option to move them if the current/lighting it too much or not enough for them.
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08/24/2014, 05:49 PM | #16 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Roseland Fl.
Posts: 105
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Sorry I hope i'm not hi-jacking this thread, but I was wondering, if I use rock rubble to attach my frags to, do I have to use rocks from my tank or can I use other rock, & does it have to be cycled? Will it throw off my prams? Thanx in advance
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08/25/2014, 08:45 AM | #17 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bartlett, IL
Posts: 857
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Quote:
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Marilyn RedSea Max-E 260 |
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02/10/2018, 07:37 PM | #18 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 297
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Quote:
Personal preference. |
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02/17/2018, 05:52 PM | #19 |
Zoa Trainer
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 585
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Removing from a plug and putting on a piece of rubble is much more aesthetic. Easier in the long run to move around or frag IMO. Those new ceramic plugs and disc are impossible to break or cut up.
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Keep on Reefin!! Current Tank Info: All empty, all gone, sad... |
02/17/2018, 06:48 PM | #20 |
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 664
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if you dont quarantine I wouldnt worry about it
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02/23/2018, 07:16 AM | #21 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Look up Reel Reef frag plugs. I think you might like them if you are looking for an alternative to using rubble at some point. |
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