do you mount frags on its side or pointing out?

[fungia]

i have always mounted frags pointing out but i know people mount frags on the side. any advantage to mounting this way? do the corals grow differently?

 

[Unarce]

Initially, when mounting frags, it will attempt to encrust its base for stabilization. When mounting pointing out, only the surface area of the frag that will be encrusting, will be the end. Mounting them flat gives far more surface area helping it encrust quicker, which actually makes the frag grow faster.

This is why growth seems to explode right after encrustation.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I also read somewhere that mounting them flat mimics what happens in nature when branch breaks off the colony and falls to the floor. So that is how I am going to do it when I frag my SPS in the future.

 

[mopecula]

Just like reefnutz said. i tried both ways and it seems on its side is the better way to go. works for me too

 

[Fastmarc]

I also read somewhere that mounting them flat mimics what happens in nature when branch breaks off the colony and falls to the floor.

I was just about to say that this is one of the reasons Eric Borneman told me that makes it a plus as well. He said that you tend to see quicker growth and more branching this way.

 

[Anonymous]

I mount mine on the side also. Tends to give a better base and a better looking coral in the long run.

 

[stubbsz]

So, you just lay the frag down and stick it to a base somehow..?.They never seem to be sold that way in my limited experience...looks like they are always attahed where they break off.

Like to see some pictures.

 

[Anonymous]

I would venture to say that the reason you don't see them sold like that is because the frags are more aesthetically (sp) pleasing in the traditional upright manner. Just my theory though. Either way will produce a colony if good husbandry is applied, though the end colony may look different; ie taller for the bottom mounted frag and shorter and fuller on the side mount. That last part is just my theory.

 

[stubbsz]

Thanks, that makes sense.

I had a milli frag that looked very out of proportion as it grew, one stalk and then a bush at the top, I ended up breaking it off at the base accidently and reattching the bush. Both pieces are very happy and the bush looks a lot better now.


-Adrian

 

[esmithiii]

I have done it both ways, and usually on its side ends up better.
You typically get more terminal polyps to start when you mount the frag sideways.

Ernie

 

[mokujin22]

Hey all,

Just ordered a few SPS frags (Seriatopora Hys, Pocillipora Dam., Monti. Cap and Monti Dig.) for my newly upgraded MHG lighting. (I'm *VERY* excited!) They're going to come unmounted.

I've read the above thread and really like the idea of mounting the frags on their sides to promote better branching/growth, but am a bit hesitant.

I intend on taking them right out of the shipping package, slow drip acclimating them and get to mounting. i figure that it would be less stressful to let them acclimate fully to the tank, but being small (1-2"), I fear that they'll get knocked around and/or lost.

Anyway, should I use the super glue gel or the two part epoxy stuff? I've been using the 2-part in the past. I've heard that the glue can be somewhat stressful to the frag, even when applied to the skinless, stony portion where the frag was broken off. How does a frag take having a healthy side covered in glue and placed on a rock? I could picture this side quickly dying through suffocation and/or lack of light and spread to the healthy top side. RTN, etc. Is this a concern?

I'd like to mount my frags on their sides, but want to give them the best chance possible from the get-go....

Thanks a bunch. Sorry for the long post.
Tony

 

[mopecula]

Hey all,

Just ordered a few SPS frags (Seriatopora Hys, Pocillipora Dam., Monti. Cap and Monti Dig.) for my newly upgraded MHG lighting. (I'm *VERY* excited!) They're going to come unmounted.

I've read the above thread and really like the idea of mounting the frags on their sides to promote better branching/growth, but am a bit hesitant.

I intend on taking them right out of the shipping package, slow drip acclimating them and get to mounting. i figure that it would be less stressful to let them acclimate fully to the tank, but being small (1-2"), I fear that they'll get knocked around and/or lost.

Anyway, should I use the super glue gel or the two part epoxy stuff? I've been using the 2-part in the past. I've heard that the glue can be somewhat stressful to the frag, even when applied to the skinless, stony portion where the frag was broken off. How does a frag take having a healthy side covered in glue and placed on a rock? I could picture this side quickly dying through suffocation and/or lack of light and spread to the healthy top side. RTN, etc. Is this a concern?

I'd like to mount my frags on their sides, but want to give them the best chance possible from the get-go....

Thanks a bunch. Sorry for the long post.
Tony

I would say on there side is the way to go. use super glue gel, just a little bit goes a long way. If you mount them on the sides they will encrust quicker and grow out better. As far as stress they are already stressed from shipping, etc.
take care

 

[Unarce]

If you want to extra careful, give the frags a few days to recover and fully acclimate to your water and lighting before you mount them. Condiment dishes are great for keeping frags from getting lost.

You can expect some tissue die-off with either super glue gel or epoxy. I personally use super glue gel.

 

[ChrisRD]

Anyone here use monofilament for the side-mounting technique? Seems like it could work well but I've never actually tried it...

 

[mokujin22]

Thanks, guys!

I picked up some super glue gel on the way home and am awaiting the arrival of the new frags. I probably will let them acclimate for 24 hours or so in a dish. Maybe I'll experiment with one of the larger frags and try the monofiliment line trick. As this would allow some movement, I just need to get a good fit between rock and frag to minimize movement.

I was thinking that the coral's slime coting may interfere with the glue.?..

Tony

reefnutz - nice one-inch-punch. Enter the Dragon kicksass.