Zoa detaching from rock

[Apotack]

Hello,

I have small frag of green eye zoa that I got a few months back. Twice now it has come off the rock. I used a gel super glue to attach it. After 5 or 6 weeks it comes free. Last night it happened again. For now I have it wedged between two rocks. Other than this problem it seems to be doing well.

I thought it should have attached itself to the rock by now.

Please help.

Thanks

 

[cloak]

It might be getting too much flow. Try moving it to a calmer area for awhile and see what happens.

 

[Apotack]

Thanks. That's logical! I will give it a try.

 

[A. Grandis]

Well, actually the flow would help it to get attached to the rock faster, believe it or not. :uhoh2:
The problem is probably due to the algae on the spot, or the glue that you're using.

Try to brush many times the spot you're trying to glue the zoa on. Use a toothbrush for that. Make sure there is no algae on it.
Brush until you don't see anything coming with the strikes. Turn pumps off. Make sure the base of the zoa is dry and apply the glue to it. Submerge in the tank and hold for a while, to be released slowly.

I've used many types of glue and some of them weren't that good. Some can stay for a month and comes out with the zoas...
The ones from Boston Aqua Farms Reef Glue gel and the new Elements from Ecotech are among the best IMO. I have a 100% success with the Elements glue.

But you don't need to spend that much money!! The Loctite superglue gel from Home Depot also works great and it's only $3.47. I've used for many years without much trouble, when correctly applied.

Make sure the snails are not removing the zoas also...

Good luck!!

Grandis.

 

[cloak]

Well, actually the flow would help it to get attached to the rock faster, believe it or not. :uhoh2:

It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that your going to have to explain this to me first though if you don't mind.

I've always had better luck with zoanthids placed in slow to moderate flow right off the bat, as opposed to the quicker currents..

 

[A. Grandis]

A good water flow will make most zoanthids (Zoanthus spp. and Palythoa spp.) to attach faster to the rocks.
That's it.
Just try out and you'll probably see good results. Nothing much to explain.
Obviously the polyp(s) feels more the need to attach and it begins naturally to act faster than normal because of the constant water flow.

It doesn't work very well when you have a long stalked zoanthid that was already placed for long time in a low current or low light environment. In that case you'll need normally a lower water flow to make sure the long polyp won't be removed with glue and everything from the rock. Still make sure you give it some flow!

Well that's just my experience. Not here to try to impose anything new. I know that others will tell you the same, so...

Next time you try and please let us know.
If you give it a moderate flow, it should be enough.
A very high flow will be detrimental to the purpose, of course.
I've placed polyps with the Ecotech glue in a relatively high flow with good results.

Hope this helps.:thumbsup:

Grandis.

 

[cloak]

I don't know, placing a frag that had just been glued in a high flow area just doesn't make since to me, no matter what kind of coral it is. I'll give it a shot though. Lets hope the glue is on the level.

As far as OP's problem goes, after being in the same spot for 5 to 6 weeks before it detaches. I don't think it has anything to do with the glue, the surface in which the glue was applyed, or the technique. There's something else that's causing this coral to "let go" as opposed to "hunkering down." JMO.

 

[A. Grandis]

I'm talking about zoanthids, not corals.

First I've thought the polyps were getting loose because of the snails, but when I removed all the snails that still happened. Changed the glue and it didn't happen again. The fishes don't nip on the polyps.
The polyp detaches from the rock with the glue attached to it.

I would like to hear from others about this also!!!

Grandis.

 

[Pallobi]

I also don't agree that flow is the cause... The more flow, the more they "hold" onto where they are anchored... Unless they are unhealthy, or newly placed in glue etc...

 

[cloak]

Maybe it was just a north westerly wind. I'll bet the positions of the powerheads didn't change throughout this whole duration. (5 to 6 weeks) If your constantly being pulled in one direction, sooner or later your going to break. (let go) JMO.