Mounting Frags

[Maine_fisher]

After about 6 months of operating my reef tank with only fish, live rock, and a cleanup crew, I have decided to take the plunge and just bought 8 frags. My frags are coming from a very responsible internet company. I have a few questions before getting them about mounting them. The frags I have are coming on ceramic and plastic mounts. Do I cut the frag off the mount all together? or do I just cut the peg part off the bottom of the frag mount? I am really not sure what to do so any help would be appreaciated!

Thanks in advance,

Rick

 

[sslak]

I usually just cut the peg off the disc, then glue the disc to the rocks. The pegs are really just to make the frag plugs fit nicely in a rack.

I don't want to take a chance on damaging the coral, softies are particularly hard to remove from plugs without killing them, and SPS encrusts on the plug too...I wouldn't want to lose any possible growth.

 

[Maine_fisher]

That is good to know. I had heard that some people cut the coral off the disc too for fear that any pest eggs might be there or on the base of the coral. I plan to super glue with just enough to afix the coral and allow to get if off if i need to. Is is okay to glue the plastic mounts as well? Will the coral encrust over that also?

 

[newtophish]

I just cut the mounts as close to the coral as possible without damaging the coral. Then glue it to a rock.
If you have a drill with a masonry bit, drill a hole in the rock where you want it placed and just slide it in.

 

[Palting]

I've only bought one frag mounted on plastic, and I cut the plastic off the coral, so I can't help there. All others were mounted on ceramic discs, both with and without pegs.

You can take the peg off or not, depending on where and how you want to mount the frag. I've used the peg and inserted it into a hole or crevice on the rock. I've also used the peg as an anchor and mounted the frag to the side of a rock. I usually cover the peg with epoxy putty so it doesnt it look so "fake". If there are any concerns about coral not overgrowing plastic, you can cover the plastic with epoxy putty. Coral will definitely grow over epoxy putty.

 

[_Mackus_]

What does everyone use to cut the plug?

I tried using my dremel tool, but it was a bit tricky to hold the frag without grabbing the coral and get the majority of the plug off. Plus I think some water dripped in my dremel and I may have blown a fuse or something, it was acting strange. I got two plug parts off of the discs but couldn't get the third one. Don't think it was my grinding disc wearing down, but the dremel having electrical issues.

Would strong tin snips or anything like that work? I haven't tried anything else yet.

 

[coreenm]

I've had a lot of trouble placing frags in the past also. The two part putty never seems to work for me since both surfaces need to be pretty dry. Superglue has worked sometimes. Most of the time I just try to wedge the plug into a tight spot on a rock and hope it doesn't get knocked over, ha!

 

[Steve175]

I use a sandwich technique of disk with glue to putty outside tank and then put glue on putty and form it to my chosen spot in the tank. I use DD putty soley as others I have tried have not worked.

 

[Dr. Reef]

i cut the peg off the disc and not disturb the coral. then use gel super glue on under side of disc and make a upside down pyramid of epoxy and stick it to the gel and disc underside. then put a little gel on the epoxy and push it on the spot i need it at.

 

[mattgreene22]

i cut the peg off the disc and not disturb the coral. then use gel super glue on under side of disc and make a upside down pyramid of epoxy and stick it to the gel and disc underside. then put a little gel on the epoxy and push it on the spot i need it at.

Older thread, but want to make sure I understand the above. When you (anyone) uses this sandwhich method are you waiting and curing inbetween any of these steps? I would think not...but haven't tried it and so wanted to ask first. Thanks

 

[Dr. Reef]

no i take the frag cut the leg/peg whatever u wanna call it then super glue gel the base of the disk stick epoxy to it and then put some glue on the epoxy as well and place it on the rock right away no waiting.

 

[mattgreene22]

Thanks, I"m getting some unmounted frags soon and I've been told the sandwhich method should work there too. My plan was to dry the frag base, 'dab' with glue, press to epoxy putty, and apply more glue under epoxy putty...then quickly mount to the rocks. I'm hoping they all stick..my only experience to date is using plugs or wedging corals where I want them.

 

[dthorn]

Having a pin cushion urchin in my tank, I use lots and lots of superglue gel. My. tank is small so removing rock to glue stuff isn't an option. I am curious if this sandwhich method works underwater and what brank epoxy works the best? I find that underwater you have to "smear" the object on the rock until the film on the gel pops. Then if you get lucky, enough of it made contact to survive the urchin. I could see how the soft putty would help it conform to the rock, bu t not sure if the glue bubble will pop without smearing and making a mess with the putty. Just hoping you might expand on this a little more. Thanks!

 

[SteviesReef]

The glue will work under water but be sure to us GEL SUPERGLUE. The liquid will be a total mess.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Also, if you have any clowns, shrimp or other inquisitive creatures in your tank, I would advise keeping your hand near the frag for a few minutes after mounting. That way when they come over to investigate you don't have to worry about them getting covered in super glue.

I know as soon as I put a frag in my tank, my cleaner shrimp has to immediately come over and stand on the coral. Provided he hasn't already climbed on my arm and decided I needed a cleaning.