Corky Gorgonian Frag Pics!

[divemonster]

Richard sent a massive Corky gorgonian with my last shipment of critters and it felt like it weighed 5 lbs! Here are some pics of the frags which I named as Corky One, Corky Two, etc.

Corky Main (the main stalk). Looks like the starfish is hunting a meal

Corky One:

Corky Two:

Corky Three:

Corky Four:

Corky Five:

Corky Six and Ten

Corky Seven and Eight are hosting the condy at the moment. Corky Nine, Eleven, and Twelve are in the Nano Cube at home.

 

[noahm]

They look happy.

 

[divemonster]

Thanks for saying so, Noah

The ones that the condylactis anemone has put itself next to don't look so happy...imagine that. I'd like to move the anemone but I don't want to hurt it and it looks happy where it has put itself. I'll probably end up moving the frags.

 

[shadowbearwv]

I love seeing all of your pictures.

Keep em coming. Hehe

SB

 

[gforce2002]

divemonster, you pictures look great. Can you tell me what you use to stick the fragments to the rock? I'm just finishing up the cycling from the part2 shipment, but the several pieces like that that come with it are sort of just stuck in between rocks right now, which doesn't look all that great.

 

[divemonster]

I use Super Glue Gel. It is not toxic to the tank and it is cheaper than Fragment glue which you can usually get from your LFS (local fish store).

Hey SB, glad you like the pics. The batteries died in the camera yesterday or I would've posted more pics. My tank was pretty dirty since I was not around much to clean it. I've been having problems with cyanobacteria (BGA or blue green algae) blooms because I have been overfeeding the tank. It's finally getting under control but the big zebra tail blenny is about ready to mutiny since I have cut WAY BACK on the feeding. Here it is giving me the evil eye:

Edit: resized the image

 

[noahm]

Does it set under water (super glue gel), or do you have to process everything outside the tank? In other words can you stick it to the frag and then stick it in the tank onto a rock?

 

[gforce2002]

Thanks, divemonster - this may sound like a dumb question - do you have to remove the rock as well, or just take out the thing you want to glue down, apply the gel and then stick it back down?

That is a GREAT picture of the blenny! I think he may be a camera hog!

 

[divemonster]

The Super Glue Gel will set underwater, though it does take longer than if it is exposed to air. I would not take my rocks out of the water if I were you guys. It really is not necessary.

All you have to do is put a glob on the bottom of the sponge or whatever. Try not to have the sponges exposed to the air for long periods of time. Some sponges will die anyway if exposed to air. So be careful. What I do is hold the sponge (or whatever) so that the bottom is very close to the surface and bring the gel tube under the surface to apply the glue. That way no one gets unhappy being exposed to air. The gorgonians do tolerate air much better than sponges so with those you don't have to be as careful.

You will need to hold in place whatever you are attaching to the rock for a couple of minutes. If it is a big, heavy coral (like the corky frags) then you may have to hold in it place longer to give the glue a chance to set well. Also, be sure the surface of the rock is clean of debris, detritus, or growth or the glue will not stick. I have a toothbrush I bought just for spot cleaning prior to glue-ing (gluing?) something to the rock.

The glue will be white for a while, but with gorgonians the "skin" will grow over the base and it will eventually cover the glue. That's what is happening with my blade and candelabra gorgonian! You can't see the glue base anymore. Algae will start to grow on it, too.

 

[noahm]

Yeah, removing things from the water for any extended period was my concern. Thanks for ALL the helpful info.

Noah

 

[figuerres]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13861342#post13861342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noahm
Yeah, removing things from the water for any extended period was my concern. Thanks for ALL the helpful info.

Noah

also with the corky's you can use a rubber band, just wrap a band so that it holds the end of the corky to the rock and in a few weeks / a month at most the gorg will have made an anchor to the rock and you can remove the band.

also if a corky gets's into a war with another coral it will swell up and get puffy. if you see that move the corky or the other animal and the corky will recover in a few days or a week.

they are tough buggers that grow like weeds!

 

[liverock]

tough guys..

tough guys..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13861342#post13861342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noahm
Yeah, removing things from the water for any extended period was my concern. Thanks for ALL the helpful info.

Noah

No concern for corkys, in fact I ship them dry......wet paper towel, in a bag...they are good for days.....tough critters!

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[docklink]

If I can add my 2-cents to gluing. Use gel glue, use a thick glob and when you hold the frag to the rock twist and smear a bit. This will break the skin that forms on the glue and help fresher glue from inside the glob to stick to the attachment point. And, yes, you may have to hold the frag in place for a minute or two for things to set.

PS. Divemonster, I love the blenny pict. Nice shot.