Mounting Frags: What works best for you? Tips & Tricks

[Ultra Aquatics]

I use a combination of super glue gel and JB Waterweld with the “sandwich” technique. I cut the post off the plug, apply some super glue gel, apply a ball of waterweld and then more super glue gel. Attached right to rock work and stays put. Been doing it this way for years.

 

[littlebigreef]

Two things I've found that work well. First, I always pre soak the frags over night. When I go to glue I always pat dry the top of the plug. This allows the water to permeate the plug and allows for the glue to adhere far better.

The other big thing is a post fragging lugol's bath (where possible) for the frags and mother colony. This allows the glue to solidify before going back into the tank.

 

[zoomonster]

Don't frag that much but when I do its Gorilla superglue gel (even Waldomart has it). Works extremely well and more economical than all the aquarium industry brands. Don't like the putty and it looks horrid on frags plus IMO frags encrust faster w/o it. Only thing worse for sale than a superglued fresh frag is one done with putty.

 

[McPuff]

I buy my super glue (cyanoacrylate) from the LFS. It is about $10 for enough glue to last me a year or so. Those tiny loctite things last about 4-5 days... MUCH more expensive by volume. I also use a CA accelerator (Bob Smith insta-set) just before putting the frag onto the plug/tile/rock. This is obviously NOT something you can do while aquascaping in the tank, fragging only! Super useful. Smells kind of like candy. :0)

 

[Blknovass]

gel type super glue on sps /lps, needle and thread on softies to rubble pass through body 2x ,happy fraggin all!!!

What do you do to softies? Please elaborate on that as I have a few flying around my tank and would love to stick them down.

 

[fishguy242]

What do you do to softies? Please elaborate on that as I have a few flying around my tank and would love to stick them down.

sew them to live rock rubble needle and thread,better than the rubberband for softies

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

This video thumbnail in today's email is what earned my click!

 

[Sruiz]

Drilled in more holes to hold frags as they acclimate. DIY frag rack using Stax Rock.

 

[Admann]

I had a orange setosa mounted to the rock on a frag plug that was healthy but really a slow grower. I knocked most off one day except the encrusted base. Grabbed some glue real quick, fished out of the rock and accidently dropped it horizontally in the glue on the plug. Oh well, messed that up. But that thing took off like xenia after that.

 

[Zachbud]

I use tiny unused beauty spay/sprits bottles from dollar store filled with tank water to keep frags wet or works as glue accelerator if I’m not ready to drop into tank yet

 

[KleineVampir]

The putty allows the frag to be pushed down in locations where the frag plug (or frag) doesn't sit flat against the surface. The glue holds the putty to the frag as well as the putty to the rock.

And how are you combining the putty and the glue?

 

[Dr. Jim]

Glue Accelerator (e.g. BRS InstaSet) is the best "trick" I've found (for SPS). But instead of using the pump spray, I put it in a syringe with a needle. (You can use an old syringe from a test kit, ideally one with a pointed, plastic nozzle).
I blot dry, add a drop of glue to both surfaces, then apply a drop of Accelerator to glue on plug and quickly press frag to it. Solid in a second! For large frags, you can also add a couple of extra drops around the base of the frag, using the pointed nozzle to "aim" the drops.

 

[YumaMan]

The faster you can cleanly mount your frag on its new base the better your chances of success. I find using just the right amount of thick mounting gel, not too much and not too little, to be important -- and then to apply a spray fixative in order to set the glue instantly.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Since I'm not a fan of frag plugs in the display, I keep some small rubble rock in the sump. Drill a hole in the rock (whatever the appropriate size), fill the hole with super glue, and put the frag in. The hole also helps keep the coral stable while the glue dries.

Then you can eventually glue the rock to your main rock work and it blends right in. It's also easier to pop the rock off if you find you need to move the new frag.

Many ways to skin the proverbial cat!

Exactly what I do!

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Glue epoxy glue. Yep how I was taught

 

[temfinger]

Apply the gel superglue to the frag plug, and set aside. Then dip the frag into the glue lifting it up and down a few times until the glue starts to set. Once glue start to set hold one in place a 5 seconds and return to water/solutions. This prevents the frags from moving/ falling off once its returned to the water. #9oh4reefer

 

[sawdonkey]

The best way I have found to mount SPS on plugs is to use a drop of gel superglue, a pea sized ball of epoxy putty, and then another drop of gel superglue on top of that, then stick the stick in it. Works everytime, and there’s no mess! Try it, you’ll become a believer!

this is what I do, but probably more like half of a pea worth of epoxy depending on frag size.

 

[Cyclone-G]

I made a few videos about this over the years. I've tried a lot of ideas. Enjoy!

 

[TracyLynn]

For softies, mostly the mushrooms I’ve thinned off my rocks. I do use a small plastic container (Dollar Tree has cream cheese & butter containers) cut the top off, using the bottom of the container & line it with rubble. I take a shower puff & cut a piece that will cover the top of the container plus some to go over all 4 sides & use a rubber band to secure it. After a couple of days the mushrooms have secured themselves to the rubble & the veil can be removed.
Shower puff:

 

[Krisboats]

Anybody got any tips for mounting a fairly large (4x4inches) montipora plate to the rockwork? Tried superglue on the underside and it came free within a few days.