[LuisA]

Hey all I just started in reef building and I just got some zoanthids. I know that when you frag them you use super glue to glue them down to a plug. These are currently on plugs so do i need to separate them and glue them to a rock out of water and place them back in or do I find an area where the plug will fit? sorry for the dumb question and thanks for the help
Luis

[ljv]

You can do either.

What I would do is find a place for the plug and let them get acclimated for a while. When they are happy, they will spread relatively quickly. Once the plug is totally covered with polyps, you can cut a few of them off and glue them to a new rock. Sometimes when you try to glue them they do not attach and float away, so I would wait until you have some to spare.

Also, if you place the plug right and/or position some smaller rocks directly adjacent to the polyps on the plug, they will spread to the new rock on their own. This is a kinder gentler method that only requires patience.

[CyberJester]

If they are ceramic plugs, I usually just break the plug part off (making it a disc) and just glue the disc to the rock with epoxy.

They will cover the disc, then grow off the disc onto the rock, after a while you will not even notice the disc there. Also then once they grow onto the rock, you can pry up the disc and sell the disc to someone else.

[LuisA]

is there a way to glue them to the rock while it's still in water or do i need to pull all my rock up to put it in the correct spot. also what type of epoxy should i use? aquarium safe silicon?
thanks

[ljv]

Do not use silicone.

There are epoxy sticks that can be used to attach rock underwater (Aquastick, Holdfast) It is a 2-part putty stick that you mix to activate. It cures underwater in a few minutes.

You can also use superglue gel. It also cures and attches underwater.

[Strongarm5791]

I use superglue, hard epoxy sticks...They both work good. Oh, If you don't want rocks moving, don't get a Diamond Gobie (Sand Sifter). When I first setup my reef, I had no form of keeping my rocks attached, I just set them, and arranged them. It worked ok until the diamond gobie was added...Oooop's!

[LuisA]

Just picked up some loctite super glue gel i think i might wait a bit to see if the like there location before gluing them down
thanks again
Lusi