zoa frag question

[FishFace28]

I am relatively new to zoas, and the one's that I have previously bought were already attached to pieces of rock. But, a couple of days ago, I couldn't resist buying some small zoas that weren't attached to anything. What I'm not sure about is how I go about attaching them to my rock. I have previously attached other coral frags using marine epoxy putty, but when I touch the zoas, they draw up. When that happens, they don't exactly have a top and a bottom. There are just polyps all the way around. What have I gotten myself into?

[geoxman]

You have a total mess on your hands!!!!!

JJ.

Go to the $1 store and get yourself some crazy glue gel and apply it to a piece of rubble and place the mat, underneath, the non round part of the polyp on the glue. Now is a good time to FW dip them as well just to make sure there are no pests. It is really easy and can make a person nervous that has never done it.

If it is in a ball then take a blade and slice the mat so it will lay flat.

It is about that simple-good luck

[FishFace28]

No offense, but that doesn't sound easy at all. That makes me nervous. Can they live their whole lives not attached to anything? Is it feasible, that they could just live freestanding?

[geoxman]

they might attach to something but more than likely they will get blown under some rock. It really is about a 3-5 second job at max. If you are uncomfortable with the glue and cutting just wedge them in between two pieces of rock and hope they attach in a few months. good luck

[nalbar]

I have never agreed with using glue on polyps. They come loose. IMO the easiest way, and by FAR the most secure, is to tie the polyp to a small rock using thread. It is better if there are at least two polyps, so you can wind the thread between the polyps. Then attach that small rock anywhere in your tank using epoxy putty.

Done correctly you will NEVER have one come loose and float away.



nalbar

[FishFace28]

geox,

it was the razorblade that made me the most nervous. I feel like I would be hurting them. But, it makes sense that they aren't very stable on their own.

[geoxman]

It is like cutting your toe nails or hair, it does not hurt. I have cut the mat on polyps about a jizillion times and most are open within minutes-the reason for them closing was being out of the water IMHO. good luck with your polyps

[FishFace28]

Alright geox, I have seen pics of your tank in another thread, and you appear to be a zoa authority. I'm honored to be getting advice from a pro.

When I cut the mat on these zoas, will they release toxins? I read a thread earlier about wearing gloves while working with your tank and especially while handling zoas. I have to admit that I've never worn gloves while working with my tank, but it freaked me out a little.

[TurboGuru]

Can't you just put some of the zoas in a bridal veil with some rubble or rock and let them attach by themselves? Just asking...

[FishFace28]

I like that suggestion. I wonder how long it would take them to attach?

[TurboGuru]

Donno, that's why I asked (because there were experts reading this thread) I use this method when attaching mushroom corals and they start to grab after a few days, and are pretty well stuck a few days after that. Just have to be careful the veil inhibits flow to its contents. Hopefully an expert will confirm this works for zoas too... or just prove that I am the village idiot as stated below.

[Pufferpunk]

Oh, glue goes on the FLAT side? No wonder mine are doing so poorly! Only kidding but I can't tell you how many times I've put the glue on the wrong side of my corals.

[Hypertek99]

It's super easy. get a frag disk. put super glue on it. put the polyp on it. You don't even have to put it if it's already a loose polyp. Just make sure the part where they open are not on the glue. You can tell because there's a tiny hole usually when they suck in.