Live coral frags may sometimes arrive unattached to any rock or substrate; this may present a problem in an aquarium with lots of water current or "curious" inhabitants. Your first inclination might be to wedge your new coral frag in between the rocks in your tank, however you may consider a different more efficient method - super glue gel.
Is super glue gel safe to use in a reef tank? Yes. Super glue is sold in two common forms; liquid and gel. Using the gel form can prove to be a very safe and effective method in mounting small coral frags in your aquarium. The super glue gel can be applied directly to the back of a coral frag or mushroom, then attached to a rock that is still submerged underwater without even removing the rock from the tank.
Follow these simple steps to mount coral frags in your reef aquarium using super glue gel:
1) Go to a local pharmacy or supermarket and pick up a name brand super glue in gel form, not liquid
2) Eyeball a rock in the aquarium that you would like your new coral frag to be mounted to
3) Remove your coral frag or mushroom from its container or tank and apply a small bead of super glue gel to its base. The glue can be applied directly to the back of the organism without harming it
4) Quickly submerge the frag with the super glue gel applied to its base and press it against the rock that is still underwater in the tank
5) Find a safe spot on the topside of the frag that is not delicate and press firmly with your fingertip to allow the glue on the back of the frag to bond to the rock, this should take approximately 30 seconds.
6) The frag should now be mounted to the rock. You may see some white film surrounding the base of the newly mounted frag but this is completely normal, you are seeing the dry glue.
If a frag is not firmly mounted to its new home in a tank it may have a hard time ever colonizing and growing. By using super glue gel to mount frags you are giving the coral the best possible chance of successfully living and growing.
Dylan Forsythe is the owner of ReefScavengers.Com, an online store that ships live saltwater invertebrates and corals from all over the world directly to your door. To learn more, visit ReefScavengers.Com
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