Zoa frag advice

antdog

New member
Guys, I have some zoas that I got from a fellow reefer. They are attached to some eggcrate. I tried unsuccessfuly to move some of them to a piece of live rock. They were attached (or so I thought), but after having been in the tank a while they blew of the rock. What did I do wrong? I used locktite superglue(cyanoacrylate). Patted the rock and the zoas dry with papertowel, but they came off. Is there a special technique that I'm missing? Any help wouidl be greatly appreciated.
 
are they still attatched to the eggcrate or did you remove them? you would want to make sure to use the superglue gel, make sure both the rock and polyps are realtively dry. be generous with the glue and press them gently together, i like to use tweezers so my finger dosent get stuck. as soon as they are together i like to place them in a little container with tank water so the glue will harden immediately. let it sit there for a minute or two then put it into your stock tank and enjoy!
 
They're still attached to the eggcrate and yes, I'm using the super glue gel. That's exactly what I did, except for putting them into a container to let the glue harden prior to placing back in the tank! Maybe that's the vital step I was missing? I'll give that a try.
 
if they are still attatched to the eggcrate you could glue the eggcrate directly to the rock if you have a flat spot to glue, just an idea.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8830630#post8830630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by antdog
Maybe that's the vital step I was missing?

Did you try wrapping your ankles with tinfoil first?;)

Sometimes this happens. Just do it again.
Got a picture?
 
I've had the eggcrate attached to rocks for sometime now with rubberbands, hoping that they would attach. No such luck. I'll give it another shot letting them harden in tank water before just placing them back in the tank.

Sorry no pics (no digital camera).

...and I always work on my tank with my ankles wrapped in tinfoil. Doesn't everyone???
 
Make sure you use reynolds.;)

I would probably try drying the zoas a little more and when you apply them to the glue, try smearing the base of the zoas into the glue on the rock.

That usually gives them a good bond.
 
And once again.............!







Nothing! I tried AGAIN, to glue some zoas to rocks. Even took the rock out of the tank the day before to dry. After a while the zoas ALL came off the rock?!?!?!?! What the?!?!?!
 
does not sound like the glue here is the problem. have you checked to see if there are any critters picking at the base of the glue and the rock? once the zoas have fallen off is the glue still stuck to the rock or is the glue gone completely? what type of rock are you trying to adhere the zoas to, something porous is easiest to stick to. also have you kept the zoas in a low flow area once glued? you may want to get a tupperware bowl to keep them in for a few days for the glue to cure really well. thats about all i can think of for now, hopefully you can get those things stuck on for good. good luck...
 
The glue does seem to be gone, but I figured I would find it floating in the tank somewhere like last time. Is it possible that my crabs or snails might be eating the glue??? It's locktite (super glue) gel. As soon as I put the frags back in the tank my nassarius snails were all over it. I didn't think they could do any harm. I also witnessed a crab perched on one. I never suspected??? And the rock was porous LR rubble like the rest of the LR in my tank? It is entirely possible that I'm too retarded to do this right. Thanks for the suggestions guys!
 
i dont think that you are retarded, as this really isnt too hard to do. but ive had the experience that my clean-up crew really likes the taste of superglue. i would reglue and keep in a separate container for a few days so the critters dont get them.
 
Here is a great article for fragging and glueing frags.
http://www.zoaid.com/articles003.php

I agree with Jason, try placing the frag in a container until the frag cures.

You know, in the last 17 years of reefing, I have never seen a crab or any other critted eat super glue.:confused:
Maybe it's one of those new fangled fads these young crabs are into?:wildone:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8881816#post8881816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonj90
i dont think that you are retarded, as this really isnt too hard to do. but ive had the experience that my clean-up crew really likes the taste of superglue. i would reglue and keep in a separate container for a few days so the critters dont get them.
great point right here. Hermits love it
 
Well I figured out that my cleaning crew wasn't eating the glue. I fished out the rubble I was trying attach zoa's to and all the glue (for the most part) was still intact. Apparently my problem is the glue staying attached to the zoas. I tried a different method. I took thread and tied the zoas to the rock. I also followed some of the advice out there to put the frags in a container. It's been a day already and obviously the crew hasn't been able to disturb the frags. Will give an update in a few days to let ya know if they stick. Cross your fingers!!!
 
you are drying the zoas as well as the rock too right??? dont remember seeing if you had been, and im too lazy to read that far back... good luck again!
 
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