Relocating acro colony

[Necrodaemus]

I've decided that relocating this Bill Murray in inevitable. It's growing fast, fanning out and tabling to the point of growing towards the front glass and pushing back toward acros behind it, posing a risk of shading some out. I have a spot cleared to place it where it will have more room to grow without my having to cut it frequently (I want this one to table out as much as possible.
My dilemma is how I'm going to mount it securely after cutting it from the rock. The photos show the colony and the place where I'm planning to move it.
Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Troylee]

If you can remove that rock drilling a hole big enough to shove the branch in would work.. if not lots of putty and superglue lol.. I’ve done it a couple times.

 

[Necrodaemus]

If you can remove that rock drilling a hole big enough to shove the branch in would work.. if not lots of putty and superglue lol.. I’ve done it a couple times.

If only I could....believe me, that's the method I'd rather do. But unfortunately that is a base rock that's holding up the upper rock structure.

 

[slingfox]

Epoxy and glue

 

[Necrodaemus]

Epoxy and glue

Well, yes, of course. Just trying to figure out how to secure it in place while the glue and epoxy cures.

 

[OnePiece Corals]

Well, yes, of course. Just trying to figure out how to secure it in place while the glue and epoxy cures.

As others mentioned. Apoxy and glue. Be very generous of the amount of epoxy tou use. Hold down the colonie in place with your fingers for couple minutes before you let go. It will hold in place but the trick is hold it study until you feel no movement.

 

[MoshJosh]

Lots and lots of superglue and patience. I would scrub the spot on the rock with a tooth brush, dry the base of the coral, put a large blob of superglue (gel kind) on the base, pre wet the glue (dip the base covered in glue in the tank for a moment then lift it out and let it set up slightly), then grind the base into the spot on the rock until you see adhesion, firmly press them together and hold for a long as you can stand it.

 

[wmatt140]

This may be a bit of a reach, but If you have a battery powered drill you could create a hole to mount it in.

Amazon product

 

[jelazar]

Can you do it in stages? First, make a socket with epoxy the right size and shape to accept the acro branch, then glue it onto the rock in the right location and angle. Let it fully cure. Step two, glue the long base branch of the acro colony into the socket. If you make the socket right, it will hold the acro in place while the glue dries.

 

[Necrodaemus]

Can you do it in stages? First, make a socket with epoxy the right size and shape to accept the acro branch, then glue it onto the rock in the right location and angle. Let it fully cure. Step two, glue the long base branch of the acro colony into the socket. If you make the socket right, it will hold the acro in place while the glue dries.

That's most likely the route I'm going to go.

 

[SeaDweller]

That's most likely the route I'm going to go.

depending how deep it is, you can drain most of the water to the level you need to work on and then pump the water back in. Guess it really depends on what other corals you have that can stay out of water for 15-20 mins. That way you can drill if you need, build an epoxy base, glue etc.

 

[AstroMelly]

We moved a large myagi tort colony at the weekend and had a very similar problem. The target location and desired position/orientation meant the colony would be off balance. Sure enough within an hour of placing it had toppled.

We resorted to building a small support from a couple of small rocks glued together and they putty/glued this so it would support the underside of the colony in the new location (and it’s mostly not visible as it’s under the colony in the new location).

Good luck! The most positive part of the whole operation was that the colony remained completely intact. Some pics showing previous location and the new position.

Plan is to cover up the ‘putty column’ which ended up being larger than planned due to the toppling.

View from end of tank (peninsular)

Side view of new location


Side view of new location


Old location

 

[reefnoob83]

Well, yes, of course. Just trying to figure out how to secure it in place while the glue and epoxy cures.

Brs 2 part epoxy. And superglue. Mix plenty 2 part together. Dab dry the base thats getting glued. Dab a decent amount of glue on base of acro. Then grab the ball of epoxy and lightly press into the glue. Then Dab a decent amount of glue on the epoxy and move quickly and press the frag into its new place. Hold for about 10 seconds and its set.

 

[divewsharks]

Prop it up like a new young tree in the yard. after 24/48hrs and epoxy sets: remove the prop.