Why use cement plugs?

[JB NY]

Recently I started using small pieces of crushed red rock that I can buy in bulk from Home Depot for my acro frags. They are a nice color red that looks a little like live rock and they are super cheap like $3 for a 20# bag. I'm trying to think what the downside would be as they look a lot nicer than putting the frag on a stark white cement plug.

 

[Chibils]

If I'm not mistaken, concrete is made up of limestone. Limestone is composed of calcite, dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2), and aragonite (CaCO3).

From Encarta:

Many marine organisms extract calcium carbonate from seawater to make shells or bones. Mussels, clams, oysters, and corals do this.

Calcium carbonate being aragonite.

 

[JB NY]

Yeah but why use that? I used plastic plugs for two years and grew hundreds of frags. Now using small rocks, it looks more natural than white disks, and is cheaper and simpler to make. So I guess I'm just asking why do most people not do it.

 

[Chibils]

I don't know that it makes a difference or not, just pointing out that cement plugs are made of the same stuff corals use to make their skeletons.

 

[fatrip]

what is this red rock you are useing???any idea what it is made of?? that would be my first guess on to why people wouldnt use it esp if you dont know what it is.

 

[bristle]

I use rubble. Sometimes if it won't stay put in my eggcrate, I'll glue a thin piece of rubble onto the bottom like a peg. Then if someone wants the coral, I just remove the peg and reuse it on something else, unless they want it as well. I've received nothing but accolades for not using tiles, plugs, plastic, etc.

 

[Python73]

Red rock eh? Is it super light? Sounds like lava rock to me, like you'd put in your grill. As for why people use plugs, #1 reason is convenience. They are cheapish, easy to mount on, easy to arrange on eggcrate. There are 100 alternatives, some good and some bad. Really personal choice.

S !

 

[JB NY]

It's crushed red rock, pieces from 1/2" to 2". I'm not sure what the name is, I'll find it out later tonight when I get home. But it is just that kind of stone that landscapers throw down on a bed with bushes and stuff in it. It's not light, so even small pieces stay down in my frag tank.

I didn't think there was anything wrong with it, But wanted to see what everyone thought. I never understood why people insist on using plugs, they look really unnatural and have to be soaked forever or else they get algea all over them, and then most people break them off the plug anyway.

 

[fatrip]

if you use Thorite cement you dont need to soak them. and if you make small circular disks that are some what thin there is no need to break them away, more or less it looks like a small peice of rubble.

 

[A.T.T.R]

rocks are a pita when trying to stock tanks tightly
thats the biggest thing i can think of

 

[Henry760]

Any pics?
Thanks.

 

[JB NY]

Here are the frags on the rocks

Here is the rock I am using.

 

[Featherdusters]

The person that I buy corals from uses a mixture of small frag plugs and rock rubble. They would place the corals the rock rubble and then the rock rubble on the plug. They told me it helps hold the smaller rock rubble (cheaper) on the eggcrate. I liked it because I was easily able to detach the rock and place it where I want while keeping the plug to place another frag on.

The only type of coral holders I hate are large ceramic squares. They are too heavy and bulky for me.