How Do I Frag A Colt Coral????

[hurrifan]

I have tried the super glue gel thing and it keeps falling off. I am taking a rock that is dry and putting the gel on it, a lot of gel. Then putting the end of the cutting into the gel and I keep it out of the water for a minute or so. Then let it finish curing under water. What am I doing wrong? I cannot keep losing the cuttings.

 

[Anonymous]

Forget glues and epoxies when it comes to colts, they never work I'm afraid. Good methods are wedging the cutting into a hole in a rock, in between two rocks, or putting the cutting in a tupperware container filled with small loose rocks that you can leave in the tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I usually use a piece of brial veil to attach it to the rock. Leave in place for a week or two and remove the veil and the frag is usually attached.

 

[reefworm]

hurrifan,
my experience w/fragging colts agrees with the input you've gotten from cjdevito and SKBok. If you choose the wedging route, be sure it's stuck well as the tissue will shrink up for awhile and the frag can float loose. In addition, keep good water flow on the cut areas to keep the slime moving away and to prevent infection. For that reason the veil method SKBok mentions is a good one. Just be sure you remove the veil beforethe frag latches on to it

good luck and regards,
rw

 

[Anonymous]

My personal favorite method for colts and other similar corals is to drill a hole in a rock fragment and place the cutting in the hole. I then use rubber bands to the sides of the hole to gently keep the cutting in place for the 2-3 weeks necessary for the cutting to attach to the rock.

 

[XXX]

Rubber band also. Very loose or it will split the colt as it expands. Mine take up to three weeks to be firmly attached.

 

[MrPuma]

What I have done is insert a plastic toothpick, I like to use the drink skewers, about a half inch up on the cut from the base then attach the toothpick with rubber bands on each side around the rock. After about 2 weeks it will be attached and you can remove the toothpick and rubber bands. If not let go a little longer but I have never had it not attach after two weeks. This works great have never had a failure yet.

 

[TazzBear]

I have done all the above but have the best luck when I place the frag on a rock and put a rubber band around it. It holds it perfectly and the rubber band can be removed in about a week or two. Or place it between two rocks and rubber band them together. Depending on the size of the frag. I only frag 2"x4" pieces so my frags are rather BIG. If the frag grows to both rocks, I cut the frag down the center and have two frags. Feels like I am gardeing at times. Lol