Montipora

[crzyfshygy]

I purchased a new Monti yesterday. The one that I had was in fact dead. I purchased it that way not knowing. A valuable lesson. The LFS returned it for me cash an all. I took them over to the SPS tank and showed them 12 dead acro's and they had a calcium montior hooked up to the tank showing 237 calcium. I told them I will never shop there again.
Question, I have a Monti frag that I rubberbanded to a small pc of LR. Will this be ok to grow from? There is like a long pc towards the bottom that I rubberbanded.

 

[viper_930]

Yes, the frag will start to encrust over the rock it's stuck to, then grow bigger plates. The earlier you get that rubberband off the better, or else the monti will start to encrust over it as well.

 

[crzyfshygy]

Thanks Viper...you have helped me so much with my first Monti's. You helped me in the last thread. I'm sure you remember.
How long will it take to grow to the rock?
Calcium 435
PH 8.2
Alk 3.0
SG 1.024
Nitrates 10
Thanks

 

[viper_930]

It should begin to encrust within 1-2 weeks.

 

[marvida]

It shouldn't take long. You might try using super glue gel for attachment. It works very well with montis.

 

[reefnut]

I would take the rubberband off and glue it in place... the rubberband could irritate it or even cause it to die in that area.

 

[crzyfshygy]

What type of glue. (Brand Name)

 

[crzyfshygy]

Also how would ya glue it? How long can a Monti stay out of water? Do you have to dry the surface of the animal first? Or do you glue to a dry rock? How long after the glue is done can it go back in the water? What type of GLUE??????

 

[reefer123]

you use super glue gel, and it is made by loctite.
what you do is take a piece of rock you want it to be on and dry off the part of the rock it is going on and lightly dry the bottom of the monti, and put a nice size blob of the glue on the rock spot and press and hold the monti on there for about 1 minute.
that sould hold it on there.
good luck

 

[marvida]

I've used several brands, doesn't seem to matter as long as it's gel.
A couple of months ago I forgot to plug my auto top off back in after a water change. It was my office nano & a Friday. When I came in on Monday one monti cap was exposed along with some GSP's. It was probably exposed for 24 hrs. The green stars died back to the water line but the monti cap didn't miss a beat. The affected area had polyp extension within 20 minutes of being re-submerged. So to make a short story long, don't worry, they can stay out of water for the 5 minutes or so it takes to frag them.

 

[crzyfshygy]

After the glue is on...how long before it goes back in the tank? I can't believe the glue does not contaminate the water!!!

 

[reefer123]

after a minute of drying you just put it in a spot that has enough flow and light.

 

[reefnut]

Personally I glue mine underwater.... take the frag out for a moment to apply the glue (not to much) and put it in the tank and press it to the rock... or apply the glue underwater on the rock and press the coral to it (this is more difficult for me but works).
btw... IME any "gel" superglue will work fine. I also use epoxy putty sold for aquariums which works great in some applications... for this, superglue is the way to go.

 

[viper_930]

Keep in mind, there is a risk to using superglue gel and/or epoxy directly on corals. The exothermic reaction of the curing glue or epoxy could cause the coral tissue to recede, or start RTN. Epoxy seems to have a higher chance at this than superglue. The less of the coral covered with glue/epoxy the better, the sooner it's back in the tank the better, and the more water flow the better.

 

[reefnut]

Very good point!! Also, the sps frag/coral should be acclimated to the new tank before it's glued in place. For me it usually takes about 3-weeks... during this time they tend to be sensitive so undue stress isn't a good thing. I have even had the best results treating my frags like new frags... taking the same care and routine.

 

[crzyfshygy]

Thanks guys! I rubberbanded it already. It seems to be doing well. I read in a book by Ronald Shimek (Marine Invertebrates) that rubberbanding was a better ides than glue specifically on Monti's so I did that right when I got it.
I have another question........Does the Montipora exert some physical feces. I have what apperars to be a pc of string comming out of the center. I will post a picture tonight, but I tried to remove it and it will not come off unless I pull real hard. It seems to have been there for a while but I am not sure. I does not seem to bother anything. It was just a little bothersome to me yesterday. I will leave it alone. Let me know if this rings a bell! Thanks