HELP! ...how to glue coral to live rock

[feedmycorals]

Hi folks,
I just got epoxy putty from a local store and tried to glue some frags on the live rocks..it didn't work!
What type of glue do you use? brand name?...I am frustrated!
Aquaworld suggested me to use Cg glue...have you tried it?
Thanks,
Tyler

 

[DgenR8]

Any superglue (Cyanoacrylate) in GEL form will do. I use Loctite or Gorillaglue versions, but Krazy glue is fine.
It does take a bit of practice before you get the hang of it.
You can get two part epoxy putty from your LFS called Aquastick. There are "generic" versions, but it's very important that you know what's in it, because many use steel in their makeup, which will rust. The aquarium stuff isn't all that pricey, and you can attach many frags on a single tube.

 

[jerpa]

I've always used super glue gel to attach frags to small pieces of dry rock rubble and then use the epoxy to attach the rubble to the rockwork. Gently dabbing the end of the coral you intend to glue down on a paper towel will help remove the mucus and give you a dry spot to apply the glue. Super glue takes a long time to set up underwater but you can use it to glue them directly to your rock. I've never had luck with using the epoxy alone unless it was a large coral with a rocky base.

FWIW the Cg glue is just super glue gel sold in a large volume.

 

[rocsec1]

Look on YouTube
There are a bunch of how too videos

 

[MondoBongo]

I second the advice above.

I recently ordered some of bulk reef supplies' super glue, it works quite well. The only reason I used theirs as oppose to picking some out from home depot was that it took the guess work out of getting something that contained the right ingredients.

As stated above it does take some practice. Depending on the type of coral I am affixing I will do it out of the tank and let it dry there prior to placing it back in the tank.

I find the aqua stick epoxy less useful for frags but better for larger pieces and even rocks. It takes more practice than the glue in my opinion, but once you get it you can make some super strong bonds.

 

[TomNeely]

I go to the dollar store and get the gel super glue.

 

[Misled]

I go to the dollar store and get the gel super glue.

This. I use it to glue plugs I know will get covered by a coral, right in the tank. Put a bit on the bottom of the plug, allow the glue to skim on the top, place it where I want it in the tank, and break the skim coat. Hold it in place for a minute.

 

[feedmycorals]

Thank you very much! I need to attach the frags on the live rock inside the water..it's hard to take the rock out and I also don't want to disturb the nice landscape! I'll get some sort of super glue gels at Lowe's to try first. if it doesn't work, I'll go for Cg coral gel.

 

[Raceimage]

What kind of coral are you trying to glue? Glue will not work with softies. You have to rubber band, sew, or secure with a tooth pick to the rock then it will attach itself in time. If you are gluing SPS lay the frag on it's side when attaching to plug or rock. It normally grows faster than attaching where it was cut.

 

[Raceimage]

One of the venders at our frag swap uses a 2 part plumbers putty available at any hardware store. said they had better results than superglue in wet conditions. Also works well with sponges and gorgonians which are difficult to attach to things.

 

[Dapg8gt]

This. I use it to glue plugs I know will get covered by a coral, right in the tank. Put a bit on the bottom of the plug, allow the glue to skim on the top, place it where I want it in the tank, and break the skim coat. Hold it in place for a minute.

This +1..i just cut the peg off the plug and put a BIG glob of super glue gel on the bottom of the disk and stick it to the rock.. It's skins over so you have to kind of lift it and slide it to get the skin to break and once you feel it start to stick lift and twist to get the glue to bunch under the plug and press down.. Takes some practice but it works like a charm.. I use it on coral without plugs also fwiw.. Works great.. You may have to hold it for a while on a vertical mount but it holds up great.. My entire tank is done this way..

 

[feedmycorals]

Updated:
Yes it works! I got superglue at Dollar Tree for 1$ (2 small tubes) and it worked great! It was a lot easier than using the epoxy. Many thanks to you all..here are pictures of some babies in my tank.