Plugs and epoxi
- Thread starter Pewe
- Start date
Getting rid of the plugs is solely for asthetics. Plugs can be pretty ugly. Other than that, coral will encrust over them just as easily as live rock.
As for the epoxy, the usual way is to add superglue to the frag and then add the epoxy to that, in such a way as to prevent the epoxy from touching the coral tissue. That being said, I have added epoxy directly and had no adverse effects whatsoever. In fact, logically if the epoxy curing releasing heat was severely damaging to the coral tissue, then superglue would be many times worse. This is because both are exothermic reactions, but superglue cures much faster, releasing much more heat quickly. In fact, I once burned myself with superglue. Epoxy, curing much slower, releases heat more slowly, most of which should be transfered to the water, reducing tissue damage. IMHO, of course.
In the end, the standard technique seems to be superglue and then epoxy, but either should work (although epoxy doesnt adhere as well alone). Or just leave them on the plugs, its up to you.
As for the epoxy, the usual way is to add superglue to the frag and then add the epoxy to that, in such a way as to prevent the epoxy from touching the coral tissue. That being said, I have added epoxy directly and had no adverse effects whatsoever. In fact, logically if the epoxy curing releasing heat was severely damaging to the coral tissue, then superglue would be many times worse. This is because both are exothermic reactions, but superglue cures much faster, releasing much more heat quickly. In fact, I once burned myself with superglue. Epoxy, curing much slower, releases heat more slowly, most of which should be transfered to the water, reducing tissue damage. IMHO, of course.
In the end, the standard technique seems to be superglue and then epoxy, but either should work (although epoxy doesnt adhere as well alone). Or just leave them on the plugs, its up to you.
Justin/TiV
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7225690#post7225690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlehrer
Getting rid of the plugs is solely for asthetics. Plugs can be pretty ugly. Other than that, coral will encrust over them just as easily as live rock.
As for the epoxy, the usual way is to add superglue to the frag and then add the epoxy to that, in such a way as to prevent the epoxy from touching the coral tissue. That being said, I have added epoxy directly and had no adverse effects whatsoever. In fact, logically if the epoxy curing releasing heat was severely damaging to the coral tissue, then superglue would be many times worse. This is because both are exothermic reactions, but superglue cures much faster, releasing much more heat quickly. In fact, I once burned myself with superglue. Epoxy, curing much slower, releases heat more slowly, most of which should be transfered to the water, reducing tissue damage. IMHO, of course.
In the end, the standard technique seems to be superglue and then epoxy, but either should work (although epoxy doesnt adhere as well alone). Or just leave them on the plugs, its up to you.
I totally agree
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