Laura Smith
Mushroom corals can be tricky to attach, but there are several methods that can be used. One common approach is to place the coral in an area with low water flow, allowing it to attach to a rock or rubble within a week or two. Creating a small basket or cup out of plastic or a cut-up bottle, covering it with sand or coral glue, and placing it in a low-flow area is another effective method. Some people also use rubber bands, zip ties, or netting to hold the coral in place temporarily until it attaches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to attach | 3-4 days to 2 weeks |
| Placement | Area with low flow |
| Method | Use rubble, a rock, or a small stack of rocks. Place in a basket made out of a plastic bottle with holes, or a cup with holes and cover with a fish net. Use coral glue or attach with a needle and thread. |
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What You'll Learn
Using coral glue
Another method is to use Tupperware and a wide-spaced mesh. After the coral sticks to the rubble, you can glue the rubble to another rock. You can also use a plastic frag-to-rock holder, which can be glued to the rock, and then glue the coral into the holder.
If you want to avoid using plugs, you can epoxy directly to the base of the coral, add a dollop of CA glue to the epoxy, and then press it into the rock. Alternatively, you can superglue the coral directly onto a small piece of dry rock, wait a few minutes, and then place it into the tank. The weight of the dry rock will help keep the coral in place.
When attaching mushroom coral, it is important to note that they will still move and detach whenever they want. It may take a few days to a few weeks for the coral to attach properly, and you may need to help them out by stretching them out so they don't fold up.
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Placing in an area with low flow
Mushroom corals prefer low to moderate water flow. Strong currents can stress them out, preventing them from attaching properly and feeding. The low flow allows the coral to expand and efficiently capture nutrients from the water column.
To create an area of low flow, you can use a container, such as a cup or a small basket made from a plastic bottle, with holes drilled in it to allow some flow. Place the container in a low-flow area of the tank and put rubble, rocks, or a frag plug inside for the mushroom to attach to. You can also place the container at the edge of the water or in the sump to encourage attachment.
Another method is to use a "gate" or "net breeder" filled with aragonite rubble or rocks to create a barrier in the tank that will reduce water flow. You can also try placing the mushroom on a rock or frag plug in a low-flow area of the tank. If you choose to place the mushroom on the sand bed, ensure it is in a low-flow area, but be aware that it may be easily dislodged.
Once the mushroom is in a low-flow area, it may take a few days to a few weeks for it to attach, and you may need to help it out by stretching it out so it's not folded up from blowing all over the place.
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Using a small plastic basket
Mushroom corals are known to be stubborn and picky about their homes. They are also escape artists, so it's important to find a secure way to attach them to their new homes. One way to do this is by using a small plastic basket. Here are some detailed steps to attach mushroom coral using a small plastic basket:
Prepare the Basket
First, find a small plastic basket or container. It should be small enough to fit comfortably in your tank but large enough to hold the coral and the necessary attachments. Poke or cut some holes in the sides of the basket to allow water flow and light to enter. The number and size of the holes will depend on the specific needs of your coral and the flow rate in your tank. You can also cut the basket in half horizontally and use the bottom half as a small cup to place over the coral.
Add Rubble or Rocks
Line the bottom of the basket with rock rubble, crushed coral, or small pieces of rock. These will provide an uneven surface for the coral to grip onto and will become the coral's new home. You can also add a small amount of coral glue to the rubble or rocks to help secure the coral, but this is not necessary for all types of coral. If you are using a cup-style basket, you can place the cup over the coral, allowing it to grip onto the rock inside.
Place the Coral
Place the mushroom coral in the basket, ensuring that it is secure and not floating. If the coral is not staying in place, you can use a rubber band or netting to hold it temporarily in place until it attaches. You can also try placing the basket in an area of the tank with very low flow to prevent the coral from being disturbed.
Monitor and Adjust
Monitor the coral over the next few days to weeks. Mushroom corals typically take around three to four days to attach, but it can take up to two weeks in some cases. If the coral floats out of the basket, try placing the basket in a part of the tank with less flow or covering it with mesh. You can also try moving the basket to a location with more light and less current to encourage the coral to settle down.
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Holding it in place with rubber bands
Holding mushroom coral in place with rubber bands is a common method used by many. This method is often preferred over gluing, as mushrooms do not like to be glued and need to attach themselves. To use this method, place the mushroom coral in a small bowl or container on top of rubble rock or crushed coral. Seal the bowl with bridal vale or mesh and secure it with a rubber band. Place the bowl or container in the corner of your aquarium or frag tank. The mushroom coral will attach to the rubble rock within a couple of weeks. After that, you can remove the rubber band and glue the coral to a larger piece of rock if desired.
Another way to use rubber bands to attach mushroom coral is to place the coral on a small stack of rocks or a single rock in an area with low flow. You can then use rubber bands to secure the coral to the rock. Make sure the rubber band is lashed across the mouth of the mushroom coral. This will help the coral to attach to the rock within a few days.
It is important to note that some people have expressed concerns about using rubber bands, as it may not be the safest way to attach mushroom coral. There is a risk that the rubber band could restrict flow, leading to infection and melting of the coral. As such, it is recommended to closely monitor the coral and remove the rubber band as soon as it has attached to prevent any potential issues.
Additionally, when fragging mushroom coral, rubber bands can be used to secure the sections of coral. By cutting the coral into sections, like a pie, and ensuring that each section has a small piece of the mouth, you can place them in a container with rubble rock and seal it off with bridal vale and a rubber band. This will allow the coral to attach to the rubble rock within a couple of weeks.
Overall, using rubber bands to attach mushroom coral is a viable method that has been used successfully by many. However, it is important to carefully monitor the coral to ensure its health and remove the rubber bands as soon as they have attached to prevent any potential issues.
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Using a needle and thread to attach to a rock
One method to attach mushroom coral to a rock is to use a needle and thread. This method is instructive and detailed, offering a direct approach to securing the mushroom coral to the desired rock.
Firstly, place the mushroom coral in the desired spot on the rock. Then, insert a needle through the lower part of the mushroom coral's stem, being careful not to pierce the mouth. A pin can also be used in place of a needle. Next, cut a small piece of rubber band, about a quarter of an inch long, and slide it over the needle. Push and wiggle the needle into the rock, securing the mushroom coral firmly in place. Once the needle is holding the mushroom coral against the rock, slide the rubber band down to further stabilize the coral.
Within a week, the mushroom coral will naturally adhere to the rock. At this point, carefully wiggle the needle loose and remove it. This method effectively attaches the mushroom coral to the rock without causing any harm to the coral or leaving behind unsightly nets or strings.
Another approach is to use a needle and thread to directly sew the mushroom coral to the rock. While specific instructions for this method are not provided in the sources, it involves passing the needle and thread through the coral and rock, securing them together. This technique may be more time-consuming but could provide a more secure attachment.
It is important to note that some people have expressed concerns about using metal needles or pins with mushroom coral, due to the potential for metal to come into contact with the coral. However, others have used this method successfully without mentioning any negative effects. Overall, using a needle and thread to attach mushroom coral to a rock is a detailed and instructive method that requires careful execution to ensure the health and stability of the coral.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a small plastic basket or strainer, fill it with rubble, and place the mushroom coral inside. Place a rock in the basket or strainer for the coral to attach to, and then put the whole thing in the aquarium. You can also try placing the mushroom coral directly on a rock and turning off the flow to encourage it to adhere.
It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for mushroom coral to attach. Some people have reported that their coral attached within four days, while others have said it took up to two weeks.
Yes, there is a type of coral glue that can be used to attach mushroom coral. However, it is important to note that glue may not work well for soft corals.
You can try using rubber bands or netting to hold the mushroom coral in place temporarily until it attaches on its own. You can also try using a needle and thread to attach the coral to a rock.
Yes, it is recommended to place the mushroom coral in an area of the tank with very low flow. This will give the coral a chance to settle and attach without being disturbed by strong water currents.
