How do you mount your sps?

[Biff0rz]

I normally glue the plug/disc to the rock with some super glue and some reef putty. But I've seen some people build up (maybe 3d print?) lifted pucks of some sort where they can just put the plug into it and then move them around (not talking about drilling rocks). Does anyone mount them like this?

 

[paraletho]

I am lucky as I built my scape with plenty of flat rock shelves. So I put the frags once they are encrusted from the frag tank I snap the shaft off the disc and mount it to a 3” or 6” ceramic or a heavy rock chunk with a flat base. Something that is heavy enough so flow doesn’t knock it over and I can still have the option to move till it and I are satisfied. But not everyone has these options. Even if I glue it down I put it on rubble and use a small dab of glue so I can pop it lose if need be

 

[xabo]

Maybe reach out to @gws3. I believe he uses a system where he glues a frag plug to the rock with the stem facing up and mounts the frag using tubing making it easier to move if needed.

 

[xabo]

See an example @3:41.....the Rainbow Splice.

 

[Biff0rz]

Maybe reach out to @gws3. I believe he uses a system where he glues a frag plug to the rock with the stem facing up and mounts the frag using tubing making it easier to move if needed.

See an example @3:41.....the Rainbow Splice.

Thanks, I'm definitely looking for something just like that. @Graham's Aquaculture , able to help a reefer out?? :)

 

[Graham's Aquaculture]

Thanks, I'm definitely looking for something just like that. @Graham's Aquaculture , able to help a reefer out?? :)

Hey, for sure. Xabo had it correct. I take a plug and mount it upside down on the rock with instant ocean hold fast and super glue gel (BRS brand). Then I cut a piece of silicone tubing the length of 2 plug stems and push it onto the stem of the upside down plug. Now it's a receiver for any plug.

I use Oceans Wonders plugs. Their stems fit tightly into 3/8" ID silicone tubing I find on Amazon. This may vary depending on what type of plugs you use, so measure first.

I don't use this method on all my tanks. On the 300 in the video the rock work was on single structure of rock mortared together, so it's not possible to remove a rock to clean it. So in cases like this I like the plug system.

I don't use it on my new shallow lagoon sps tank. It doesn't look as good in shallow tanks as the two plugs take up a good bit or vertical space. Hope this helps!

 

[Wonkabar]

Thanks, I'm definitely looking for something just like that. @Graham's Aquaculture , able to help a reefer out?? :)

This is an amazing idea. You’ve found it holds tight enough with a large colony and a lot of flow?

 

[Graham's Aquaculture]

For big colonies it's best to use plugs with stems that are not designed to snap off, and rigid tubing as opposed to flexible silicone. At some point colonies will be too big for this method, but it can handle colonies up to about 10-12" IME. Likely bigger than you'd expect. Especially if the plug is in the center, if it's entirely cantilevered there's much more force on the stems.

 

[dferrant]

I remove the plug and glue the frag directly to the rocks
There is no need for the plug and I think they look horrible and unnatural ..
For larger colony, take glob of epoxy and place in desired area, insert base of coral and press to make a “mold”. Then remove the coral and allow the epoxy to harden. Then, glue the base of the colony to the molded hole you created

 

[Ef4life]

If your planting coral in your display, cut the frag plug off unless the frag has enough growth to cover the plug. Glue the coral directly to the rock