Sarah Brown
Mushroom corals tend to spread rapidly, so it is uncommon to frag them. However, it is possible to attach them to frag plugs. One method is to use a sharp blade to cut through the centre of their mouth and then glue the coral frag to the plug. Another approach is to place the mushroom in a cup with rubble rock, which will prevent it from floating out or moving around. Once the mushroom attaches to the rubble, you can glue the rubble to a frag plug. It can take a week or two for mushrooms to attach to the rubble.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety equipment | Rubber gloves, dust mask, sealed safety goggles |
| Fragging tools | Bone cutters, razor blade, scalpel, fragging scissors, hand-drying rag |
| Mounting | Glue, frag putty, frag plugs, frag tiles, container for holding the frags |
| Mushroom coral box | Rubble rock, plastic screen netting |
| Frag plugs | Small platforms to mount coral frags, made from various shapes and materials |
| Attaching coral to frag plugs | Use reef-safe super glue gel, epoxy, or two-part epoxy |
| Tweezers | Used for handling small or delicate coral fragments |
| Container of tank water | Used to keep coral frags hydrated during the process |
| Acclimation | Frags should be allowed to adjust to new lighting and tank conditions |
| Placement | Consider light intensity and water flow requirements for different coral species |
| Stability | Leave the plug intact to provide a solid base for the frag |
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What You'll Learn
- Use a mushroom coral frag box to hold and heal your mushroom coral frags
- Use rubble rock at the bottom of the frag box to help coral attach
- Use plastic screen netting to prevent coral from floating out of the box
- Use super glue gel to attach coral frags to plugs or discs
- Use epoxy to secure larger or heavier frags to the frag plug
Use a mushroom coral frag box to hold and heal your mushroom coral frags
To attach mushroom coral to frag plugs, you can use a mushroom coral frag box to hold and heal your mushroom coral frags.
Firstly, you'll need to build a mushroom coral frag box. You can use a variety of containers, such as acrylic, glass, or plastic. It's important to ensure that the container has good flow or can be easily drilled to add holes for flow. A fish acclimation box is a good option, as it often comes with flow holes or vents and can be mounted to the side of the aquarium.
Once you have your container, you can fill it with rubble rock. Mushrooms quickly attach themselves to rubble rock, and it gives a natural look when adding the frag to a display. You can also use larger sand or gravel-sized substrates, but mushrooms may take longer to attach. Optionally, you can add plastic screen netting to the container to prevent the coral from floating out in high-flow areas.
After setting up your mushroom coral frag box, you can place the unattached mushroom coral inside. Within a few days, the mushroom coral should attach to the substrate, and you can then glue it to a frag plug. If you want to frag the mushroom coral into multiple pieces, use a sharp razor blade or scalpel to cut through the flesh cleanly, preferably through the center of the mouth. Avoid ripping or tearing the flesh during propagation.
After cutting, place the frags back into the mushroom coral frag box, where they should heal and attach to the rubble rock within a couple of weeks. Once healed, you can mount the mushroom coral frags in your display tank or attach them to frag plugs.
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Use rubble rock at the bottom of the frag box to help coral attach
When attaching mushroom coral to frag plugs, using rubble rock at the bottom of the frag box can be helpful. This method involves placing pieces of rubble rock at the base of the frag box, which encourages the mushroom coral to attach to the rock quickly. This technique also creates a natural look when adding the frag to a display.
To employ this method, start by placing rubble rock pieces at the bottom of your mushroom coral frag box. You can use reef rock rubble or any other type of rock rubble. The rock provides a surface for the coral to attach to and helps it heal. Within a few days, the mushroom coral should attach itself to the rubble rock.
It is important to note that the size of the rubble rock matters. If you use sand or gravel as the substrate, make sure they are larger particles to facilitate the attachment of the mushroom coral. Additionally, consider using plastic screen netting to cover the frag box if it is placed in an area with high flow. This will prevent the coral from floating out of the box.
Once the coral has attached to the rubble rock, you can glue the rubble rock to a larger rock in your display tank. This method ensures that the coral has something solid to attach to and helps it heal before being introduced to the display tank.
After a few weeks, the mushroom coral should be healed and ready for mounting in your display tank. You can then attach the coral-covered rubble rock to a frag plug or directly to the rockwork in your tank.
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Use plastic screen netting to prevent coral from floating out of the box
If you're looking to attach mushroom coral to frag plugs, you'll first need to capture any unattached mushrooms floating in your display tank and place them in a mushroom box. Here's where plastic screen netting comes in—if your mushroom coral box is in a high-flow area, there's a chance the coral may float out. To prevent this, you can use plastic screen netting to stop the coral from escaping. Cut a piece of netting and wrap it around the container, and it will catch any mushrooms that start to float away. The mushroom will usually take on water, inflate, and then fall back into the box.
It's worth noting that this step is optional, and you may not need to use netting if your box is in a lower-flow area. Mushrooms tend to do better in these lower-flow, medium-light areas, and placing your box in such a location can eliminate the concern of escaping corals.
Once you've secured your mushroom coral in the box, it will take a few days for it to attach to the box's substrate and be ready for gluing to a frag plug. After a few weeks, it should be nicely healed and attached to a rubble rock piece. At this point, you can mount it in your display tank or attach it to a frag plug.
Remember, fragging corals can be challenging and even hazardous, so it's important to be prepared with the proper tools and safety equipment.
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Use super glue gel to attach coral frags to plugs or discs
Gluing coral frags to plugs or discs is a delicate process that requires patience and precision. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use super glue gel to attach coral frags to plugs or discs:
Prepare the Coral Frag and Work Area:
Start by capturing the mushroom coral from your display tank and placing it in a mushroom coral frag box. Within a few days, it should attach itself to the box's substrate. Clean the section of the plug or disc where you plan to attach the frag by using pressurised water to blow away any algae or debris. It is important to wear safety gear, such as gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, throughout this process.
Choose the Right Adhesive:
Select a gel-based super glue designed specifically for reef use. Look for a product that can withstand the tough conditions of a saltwater environment, such as one with Cyanoacrylate as the active ingredient.
Apply the Glue and Putty:
Take a small amount of putty, such as AquaMend putty, and form it into a ball. The ball should be large enough to fill any gaps or crevices in the plug or disc but small enough to minimise excess. Apply super glue gel to the plug or disc, then attach the putty to the glued area. Use enough glue to create a secure bond.
Attach the Coral Frag:
Locate the correct position in your tank for the frag, taking into account the flow and lighting requirements of the coral. Apply another layer of super glue gel on top of the putty, then carefully place the coral frag onto the glued area. Gently press and turn the frag plug to ensure the putty and glue fill all holes and crevices. Be cautious not to use excessive force to avoid damaging the coral.
Allow Curing and Hardening:
Submerge the frag, along with the glue and putty, in the water. The super glue gel will cure on a wet surface. Give it some time to harden and secure the coral frag to the plug or disc. Avoid adjusting or touching the frag during this process and allow nature to take its course.
By following these steps, you will be able to successfully attach coral frags to plugs or discs using super glue gel. Remember to work carefully and patiently, as fragging corals can be challenging and stressful.
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Use epoxy to secure larger or heavier frags to the frag plug
To attach mushroom coral to frag plugs, you can use epoxy, super glue, or a combination of both. This is especially useful for larger or heavier frags that need to be secured more firmly to the frag plug.
Firstly, it is important to prepare the coral frag by cutting it to the desired size. This can be done using a sharp blade to cut through the centre of the mushroom's mouth, or by slicing through any base tissue connecting two mushroom heads. When cutting, try to follow the natural grooves of the coral to minimise damage.
Next, you can begin the attachment process. One method is to use the glue-epoxy-glue technique. Start by applying a small amount of reef-safe super glue gel to the frag plug. Then, add a small ball of reef-safe epoxy on top of the glue. Finally, add another drop of super glue gel on top of the epoxy before placing the coral frag. This layering approach combines the strengths of both glue and epoxy, resulting in a strong bond.
Another method is to use epoxy as a mounting surface for the glue. Apply epoxy to the desired area, allowing it to harden slightly before attaching the frag. You can also use an acrylic rod, toothbrush, or tweezers to prop the frag up while the epoxy sets.
When working with epoxy and glue, it is important to use as little as possible and to wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection. Additionally, make sure to keep your coral frags hydrated during the process by having a small container of tank water nearby.
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Frequently asked questions
First, place the mushroom coral in a mushroom coral box with rubble rock at the bottom. Mushrooms will quickly attach themselves to rubble rock. Once the mushroom coral attaches to the rubble rock, glue the rubble rock to a frag plug.
It can take a week or two for mushroom coral to attach to rubble rock.
It is important to wear safety equipment such as rubber gloves, a dust mask, and sealed safety goggles when handling mushroom coral. Additionally, make sure to use reef-safe glue and epoxy to avoid harming your tank’s inhabitants.
