securing colt coral

[nanoreefer88]

I got reddish colored colt coral from my LFS and the base tirned white and it detached itself from the rock it was on so just as an experiment i cut it in half and the halves are fine now. but they just foal around how can i secure them to a rock without damaging them

 

[wade1]

Best way is to just wedge them between two other pieces of rock or into a hole in existing rock. If that won't work, you can use any number of methods.

1- a toothpick rammed thru the base of the frag, then tied to a rock with a rubberband or fishing string.
2- fishing string over the frag (will likely cut thru it though)
3- bridal veil around the entire rock with the frag between it and the rock on the topside.

Basically, if you can secure it for a few days to a week, it will attach and off it goes.

Wade

 

[Anonymous]

The methods wade mentioned work. With colt you need to be extra carfull because it tears, mushes etc easly.

 

[zygoweb]

I made reef plugs and I drilled holes in them, then I cut a branch of my colt coral into about nine frags, then I used a needle from the pharmacy to push through the colt coral and into the reef plug, they have been held up against the plug for 49 days and when I pull the needle out the whole frag comes with it. I cannot get them to attatch, I have tried the bridal veil thing and it isn't working for me. I just can't fiugre it out. The tootpick thing, it seems like when I tried that it stuck to the toothpick but not the coral plug

 

[wade1]

zygoweb-

With the toothpick method, you are supposed to leave the toothpick in place in the coral. Once it is in the tank for a while, it will be eaten up very quickly. (wood doesn't last long in reef tanks)

I wouldn't suggest using the needle because you don't want to leave it in place for too long (even surgical stainless rusts after a while).

The BEST way is just to put the frag between two pieces of rubble and wedge them against it. That seems to work above all other methods.

Good luck!
Wade

 

[zygoweb]

I will try the wedge technique, thank you for your response