Attachment

[brad]

Any ideas on how to get Acropora to attach? No, glue/epoxy doesn't count - I mean actually encrust onto rock. I have several frags that have grown, but have not attached and get kicked around. Other frags have attached and are encrusting faster than they grow upwards.

Is this just different types of corals? Or is this some property of the rock? I am tempted to try wire brushing all the corraline off to see what happens. Otherwise, I have no ideas.

 

[Brewen]

I have learned in time if the frag is not disturbed they will encrust. 70% I glue to a plug and they encrust quickly but a few placed in a hole in a rock also have encrusted if not disturbed. Hope this helps

 

[brad]

I hate putting them in plugs. That eventually gives me a large large coral on a small rock that won't ever attach to anything.

How long does this process take? What happens if they keep getting "bumped" by fish, current, my hand, etc? Can I do anything to speed this up?

 

[twon8]

the bumping itself prevents the encrusting, as everytime the coral is moved it has to readjust to its position.

 

[twon8]

try attaching the frags to a small rock, or a big one if you prefer.