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LINKED REPRINT FROM FAMA MAGAZINE - USING SUPER GLUE GEL TO PROPAGATE REEF INVERTEBRATES

SALLY JO HEADLEE

I feel very privileged to share our recent research and new techniques with the rest of the hobbyist who have helped make tremendous strides in captive propagation. I will start this article by sharing facts on how I became involved in this incredible field of research. I will also share the motivation that led me to write this story.

My name is Sally Jo Headlee. In my previous employment I was the Executive Director of the Idaho Botanical Garden. The most important role I played there was to teach the future generations to take responsibility for the environment that sustains us all. I then met LeRoy who is the Director of research at the Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation, Inc. Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation,Inc. online tour - Learn why we call it Geothermal In this article I will refer to the Foundation as (GARF). My first visit to the Foundation left me in awe. I could not believe the beauty of these corals. I soon learned that the fight to stop live rock harvesting was going hot and heavy.

LEARN TO GROW MANY RARE CORALS USING
SOME OF OUR NEW METHODS

Shortly after this LeRoy asked me if I would be interested in helping him make his dream come true. His vision was to share as much knowledge, with as many people in this industry as possible, so we would no longer take these incredible corals from the ocean. After I accepted this new career I read book after book to try to get in step so I would have the knowledge to help with our goals. I learn so much quicker by doing projects hands on. So I am frequently found playing in the reefs that surround us in our lab. Learn to set up your own fantastic reef aquarium like Sally Jo's - Learn how you can grow a wonderful reef aquarium like the one we visit in this May 1997 special feature

It was not until Feb. 14, 1996 that LeRoy bought me my first aquarium. It is from this experience that I feel the need to share our accomplishments so it can be done by others. Cook Book Method for faster coralline algae growth

I had watched other people involved with the Foundation rubber band cuttings of mushrooms and other soft corals. So often these mushrooms or other soft corals would not hold. The cuttings would simply slip away from the rubber band and fall to the bottom of the reef. MUSHROOM PROPAGATION I also saw several shipments come into the Foundation with epoxy used as the method for attachment. Often the epoxy was larger than the cutting. Coralline algae was very slow to cover the epoxy. Sally Jo's 55 gallon reef is starting to mature into a small polyp stony coral aquarium

When first setting up my aquarium it was my goal to try to put mostly corals that were captive grown or propagated from our lab. After putting in the base rock and live rock I went around the lab and found little pieces and parts of coral. I used Super Reef Glue to attach these animals where I wanted them in my tank. Sally Jo's 55 gallon reef update with pictures from July Learn about whats new for the summer on Sally Jo's reefs

Several of GARF's members where experimenting with cuttings and attaching them to dry base rock with super glue. I decided to try super gluing these corals underwater and attaching the corals to live rock. Amazingly, it works! I was able to place each animal where I wanted it and could even glue rock to rock. I have been using super glue for attaching soft and hard corals for one and a half years. SALLY JO'S REEFS UPDATE - August 1997

We have used this method in all of our 40 reef tanks in the lab. Several people from around the world are now using this method for propagation with GREAT results. I personally have used super glue on at least 175 different species of both soft and hard corals. In my 55 gallon reef aquarium I have over 400 grams of glue holding all of my animals in place. I have never lost an animal to this method of attachment. Even with the heavier sps corals this method holds them in place so they don't fall over and die or sting another animal. SALLY JO'S SEPTEMBER REEF UPDATE

By accident my clown fish, who has to check out every new animal I put in my aquarium, has had his little mouth glued more than once. No one has ever reported any negative results from this form of attachment. It has saved a lot of time and money for the people who grow corals for a living.

Before we actually tried the super glue on the corals, we researched it's use extensively. During the war they actually used it to hold cuts together instead of stitching the soldier up. We tested several brands of super glue and have found the one that we like the best. Super Glue evaluation page. Our researchers rate many brands of super glue.

This super reef gel comes out of the tube really thick so it gives you time to adjust the coral right where you want it. We have witnessed tremendous growth of our corals and the animals grow right over the super glue in less than a month.

I have taken a Merulina sps coral that Mike Paletta gave me and attached it to a rock. I later popped it off so a piece of the animal was still attached to the rock. I did this two more times. I have since shared the Merulina with other members. I propagate this coral by breaking pieces off but I keep the pieces that are still growing and attached to my live rock. I have seen these corals grow over the super glue, down onto the rock. Another great benefit is if you don't like the rock that the coral is growing on you can just pop it off and place it in different part of your system. Stony Coral Propagation Page

Pictures and details of small polyp stony corals.

The super glue method also gives you flexibility to change the position of your corals if they are not getting enough light or enough current. You can simply pop them off and glue them to a better spot. My tank is completely full of corals attached with super glue, and all animals are growing and thriving. COMBINATION ROCK PROPAGATION

Learn to grow combination reef aquarium live rocks.

I remember when I first started reading all the reef books. I not only became scared, but I was sure I would never be successful in reef keeping. As you can see by the pictures, I proved myself wrong. It seems that the more I read the more questions I ask. If someone can't provide me with a reasonable answer I, at least try to do what they say can't be done. I believe that is the true meaning of research.

I thank all the wonderful people who contributed to this hobby and the people who will come after us. There have been so many positive advancements in this hobby. With so many people writing about their systems, it is hard to know who to believe and where to go for information. I have found that by combining several methods I can create thriving reefs with many kinds of equipment. We are excited because we see more and more people demanding captive raised livestock. Many of these people are learning how to farm there own corals. Can captive reef propagation be done profitably?.

Techniques

I would like to take the time to share with you how we glue these animals. I will explain products that you will need and the different techniques we use for the different animals.

THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE CORALS AFTER WE CUT THEM. THE SARCOPHYTON WILL REGROW FROM THE FRAGMENTS THAT WE LEFT ON THE ROCK. This photo shows the same Montipora War that we saw on page 3 of last months newsletter. The orange coral has now overgrown the green one and the lower branches on the green one have started to die back. The branching soft coral stayed closed up like this for 3 days. It is healing very well and it will be ready to cut again next month. The Sarcophyton slices were open in 4 days in the cutting tank. Most leather corals, such as the Sarcophyton, are easy to attach with super glue. You simply cut a piece of the coral off the mother and place it in a bowl of reef water to get the slime off of it. Then you get a piece of dry rock and place a dab of glue on it. Place the cutting on the glue and then dip it back into the salt water. Leave this cutting in the bowl for about 1 minute than it is ready to go into your reef tank. Soft Coral Propagation Page Pictures and details of soft coral propagation.

THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN SEVERAL MINUTES APART. THE RIGHT ONE SHOWS THE SOFT BRANCHING CORAL ATER THE LIGHT HOOD WAS REMOVED AND ONE LARGE BRANCH WAS CUT.

On the other hand some of the soft corals and mushrooms are a little more difficult to attach. What I do with the Xenias is cut them from the mother and place the cuttings in a bowl of salt water. Than I cut a piece of bridal veil netting. I dip it back in the salt water bowl, then cover it with the netting and secure it with a rubber band. This new animal will be fully attached in about two weeks. I do place them in pretty strong current so the slime is removed from the new baby. Research page for Xenia and related soft coral propagation

Learn to propagate xenia.

This is the same way that I do the mushrooms and Sinularia's. The only animal that I have not been successful with gluing and having it stay in place is the rock anemone. Mushroom Anemone Propagation Page Pictures and details of mushroom propagation.

THESE PHOTOS SHOW HOW WE CUT THE SOFT CORALS FOR ATTACHMENT WITH THE BRIDAL VEIL NETTING.

Materials and Methods 1.) Mother colony 2.) Tube of thick Super glue 3.) Base rock 4.) Paper towels 5.) Scissors 6.) Tweezers 7.) Small wood chisel 8.) Two large glass or plastic bowls 9.) Several types of netting

THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE DETAILS OF A REEF PLUG THAT IS READY TO GO IN THE CUTTING TANK RACK.

DRY BASE ROCK SELECTION

At first you will have more success when you use dry substrate such as aragonite base rock that has not been in a marine aquarium. ( Dry base rock will not have a bio-film. Any bio-film will tend to repel new cuttings.)

Prepare the base by locating the site of attachment. Set the rock on a table and visualize how the piece will look when the cuttings have grown. Place cuttings on opposite ends of rock if they will compete for space. Try to position cuttings so the rock will be balanced in the aquarium. If you are producing the rocks for sale, put easy to grow cuttings on larger rocks, and put more difficult to grow species on smaller rocks. Beginning aquarist tend to purchase rocks with leather corals and zoanthids before their aquariums are filled with specimens. They will choose large rocks with small cuttings if they have the chance. When the aquarist and the aquarium are ready for small polyped stony corals many aquariums are full of live rocks and other specimens. Another small rock with a healthy cutting will fit in the aquarium if something else is moved, cut, or sold. COMBINATION ROCK SPECIES SELECTION Learn about selecting species for combination reef aquarium live rocks.

BASE ROCK PREPARATION

Clean the surface of the rock by washing it in tap water. When the rocks are dry you are ready to attach cuttings.

I will explain this method by discussing each type of cutting individually.

SARCOPHYTON - LOBOPHYTON CORAL (Leather Corals)

Leather corals can be prepared several weeks in advance. This method will increase the success rate to nearly 100%. The selected leather coral is first cut into sections. Do not remove these sections from the parent coral. Visualize the soft coral as a clock face. Starting with a coral that looks like the upright mushroom cut almost one half way thru the cap at 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00. Do not remove these cuttings from the stalk. Keep this cut coral in clean water and a good current. It will heal in about three weeks. Do not worry because the coral stays closed for many days. When the coral has opened up the cuts will have started healing.

When the cut surfaces have healed you can remove every other section with your scissors. Place these cuttings in a bowl of aquarium water. Choose the base rocks and prepare the attachment sites. When the coatings of liquid glue have dried select the newly made cutting. Place the fresh cut on the paper towel for 10 seconds. Apply the thick SuperReef Glue to the prepared site on the base rock. Two drops are usually enough. Pick up the cutting and press the newly cut section on the prepared site. Place the cutting and base rock into the bowl of aquarium water for 2 minutes. Place the new cuttings in the reef aquarium so the cutting receives adequate light and strong current.

SOFT BRANCHING CORAL PROPAGATION

SINNULARIA AND LITOPHYTON - (Soft Branching Coral)

This type of soft coral has been very difficult to attach using rubber bands and fishing line because they are so soft. The Super Glue method has two advantages. The glue seals the cutting and protects it from infection. It is important to note that most of the soft corals are a little more tricky to attach then the hard corals.

We have been most successful with taking the mother animal out of the show tank. Make sure that you have a bowl of water, Super Reef Glue, the dry rock for attachment, rubber bands, bridal veil netting, and some dry paper towels. Please DO NOT try to cut these animals in your show tank, they slime up and can poison other animals. We cut the mother pretty drastically, it won't hurt them, I promise. If you have a large healthy Sinnularia you should be able to cut it in about 15 pieces and have a healthy one to return to your tank.

Cut off several of the arms that are coming out from the base. Place the cuttings in the bowl of reef water. Hold the rock that you are going to attach the animal to, then drop a dab of glue on the rock and place the propagated animal on the glue. Because this animal is prone to slime so much, you have to take a few more steps for a successful attachment. Cut a round piece of the bridal veil, place it around the cutting you have just made and secure a rubber band around the netting. It is best if you do not have the rubber band touching any part of the animal.

Put this new baby in the bowl of water with the other cuttings. Leave it in the bowl for about 2 minutes then place it in your grow out tank. Continue this process until you complete all the cuttings you want to make. You never have to glue the Mother because the base and some of the arms should still be attached to the rock from your show tank. I dip the mother one more time before placing it back in my show tank, to be sure that it won't contaminate it's tank mates.

After you finish this task you should not be surprised if the polyps don't come back out for a few days and sometimes it takes a week. The cuttings stay attached until they grow onto the base rock. I have found that these cuttings often attach better if they are glued by putting the glue on the rock and placing the cutting on it's side. This method allows the undamaged portion of the coral to touch the base rock.

SACROPHYTON - GOLD CROWN TYPEå
Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

These round ball type soft corals can be split into 4 or 6 equal parts by cutting the coral down to the base rock. Do not detach the pieces from the rock. When the fresh cuts have healed remove every other one. These are attached to the prepared base rock with the thick glue. The remaining sections are cut into several new sections by splitting them and leaving them on the stalk. This is a good way to train the coral away from other specimens. We have some Gold crowns that are almost like bonsai.

PULSE CORALS
PULSE CORALS -(WOODS POLYPS,CLOVE POLYPS ECT.)

WOODS POLYPS - Anthelia glauca

Our research for new and better propagation techniques has allowed us to make this particular animal very easy to attach! All you need for this project is: Super Reef Glue, dry rock, a bowl of salt water and clean hands. You simply take the Mother colony out of your show tank. To make babies all you do is pull at the base of the animal. Make sure you have one or two polyps for each propagated piece. Take your Super Reef Glue and put a drop on the dry base rock. Place the base of the cutting on the reef gel. Then you move this new baby back into your bowl make sure the water covers the glue to harden it. You are ready to place this animal in your grow out tank.

SMALLER POLYPS - Cespitularia - Waving hands etc.

These soft corals are removed from the base rock with a sharp wood chisel. Start the cut 1/8" from the edge of the colony. Push the chisel into the base rock so you remove a thin slice of the interconnecting base. Glue sections of the polyp colony to the base rock. Use a drop of the thick glue to attach any parts of the colony not glued down. Return the cutting to the reef tank. These types of cuttings have been close to 100% successful.

THIS 29 GALLON REEF HAS ONE POWER HEAD, NO SKIMMER, AND TWO 40 WATT BULBS.

ALL OF THE CORALS WERE TANK GROWN ON 7 PIECES OF ARAGONITE REEF ROCK.
WE JUST REMOVED 30 NICE XENIA CUTTINGS FROM THIS REEF

Setting the Pulse of Propagation: XENIA

PROPAGATING XENIA Xenia sp.

Most of the Xenia that we have in the unconnected genetic bank have large polyps with pinnated tentacles that move in a rhythmic motion. These polyps are connected at the base. The colors we have are white, cream, beige, and light brown. We have just received a new colony from Bali that is cream with pink and brown edges on the polyps. This Xenia is growing very fast. It is the finest looking pulse coral I have ever seen! Xenia's are one of the more difficult animals to propagate.

These are slippery, slimy and delicate animals. However if you are willing to take a few additional steps we have researched the safest ways to accomplish propagating xenia's. You will need to have these items at your finger tips before you begin. Bridal veil (it is important to purchase the wider netting since the xenia needs to breath), scissors, tweezer, Super Reef Glue, a bowl of reef water, rubber bands, dry base rock and a few prayers.

I start by pulling the Mother colony out from my show tank. Then I cut one of the big thick stems and cut that into several slimy pieces. After working with xenia as much as I have, I believe as long as the new cutting has at least one polyp it will grow and thrive.

I then pick up my tweezers grab one of the new cuttings, put a dab of glue on the dry base rock, and place the animal on the glue sideways. I dip this fresh cutting in the salt water bowl to harden the Super reef glue. I cut a circle of netting place it around the animal and attach the netting in place with a rubber band. These animals need strong current and bright light. You should expect to be able to remove the netting in about one to two weeks and the animal will be attached to the rock. I then add an extra dose of iodine to both systems the one the mother is in as well as the grow out tank. I do not do more than one stem at a time because these are rather delicate animals. Once you give them the right conditions they can and do become a weed (although they are mighty pretty)

We have been able to propagate this Xenia by cutting off one polyp and placing it on a reef plug under a piece of fine netting. The best way to remove one polyp is to suck the polyp up into a air line tube and snip it off with a pair of scissors. The embossed type of fine bridal veil has worked very well for this type of production. We hold the netting in place with a rubber band.

Xenia elongata

This Xenia is much more branched than the other species. It is growing three inch long branches that are connected at the base.

We have been propagating many of our Xenia by placing the rocks we want them to grow on next to them. After they have spread to the new rock, it is moved to a new location. These grow so well that you have to thin out the clusters. (We believe that this is the key to why they have grown so well. )

Fiji Pom Pom - Xenia umbellata

This xenia can be grown using the single polyp method. The safest way to produce this xenia is to place small rocks around the colony and remove the ones that have the Xenia attached.

The soft coral known as "pulsing xenia", which tends to ship very poorly, does amazingly well once settled into the aquarium. This coral can be stimulated to grow and divide rapidly under certain conditions. One must provide them with intense light (a period of adjustment up to high levels is required), a very strong current, and daily iodine additions.

Xenia Growing For The Local Market

As new polyp heads grow off the central stalk, one can simply cut apart the new polyp heads. You can then place them in other areas of the tank. When removed in this manner, the Xenia heals rapidly. Our research suggests that the Xenia actually responds by growing at an even faster pace.

The easiest way I have found to propagate this coral is to use scissors to trim off the taller pom-poms and thin out the colony. We also propagate these corals by cutting a single polyp. These polyps are then placed on a piece of aragonite with a small drop of Super reef Glue. The cutting is held in place by wrapping the cutting in bridal veil.

Zooanthus

These small polyps are a good cutting to add to mixed species rocks. With the Super Reef Glue we can glue individual polyps of several types to the base rocks. Pick the polyp up with tweezers and place the base on a drop of glue. Several colors will grow into a mixed colony. We add one or two of these polyps to most of our other rocks. Put the Zoanthids on the end of live rock separated from other cuttings.

ZOANTHID COMBO ROCK PROPAGATION

These anemones require bright light and strong current. Place these cuttings at the top of the reef aquarium. We have had the best growth in tanks with at least 5 watts per gallon of VHO lighting. Most of our production tanks have 3- 4 foot 40 watt bulbs - Two Tritons and one blue Moon.

Green Mexican Palythoa

The polyps on this type of Palythoa can be cut off above the base and the heads can be glued or sewed onto a base. The stalks will grow another head in a few weeks. The colony will spread onto rocks that are placed next to this group of Palythoa. This is an easy way to get more brood stock. We now have 6 colors of this palythoa that keep there colors under many conditions.

Zoanthid and palythoa Anemone Propagation Page Pictures and details of Sea mat propagation
Image Page for Zoanthids and Palythoa

One important fact I feel is important to share with you is they are very toxic. Do not cut, or propagate this animal inside your show tank. Do not attempt to make any cuttings if you have any kind of cut on your hand. The natives used this animal for there poison darts.

These anemones do best when fed several times each week. The food that has produced the best growth is made up of blended fish and shrimp meat that has been mixed in SeaChem Reef Plus This red mixture has vitamins and iodide. We use four tablespoons of Reef Plus to one tablespoon food.

Clavularia

These soft corals form an encrusting purple or brown mass. The surface feels hard because of calcareous selerites embedded in the mesoglea. These corals are removed from the parent colony with a wood chisel. Place these cuttings in a bowl of reef water. Dry the cuttings on paper towel for 30 seconds. Apply the thick glue to the prepared site and hold the cutting in place for 10 seconds. This method works because it holds the cutting tightly while they attach. Several small cuttings of different strains can be placed on the same rock. All colors will do well together, but large types tend to over grow small types.

Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals

Fragments of these corals do extremely well when glued to aragonite with this type of glue. We have been successful in gluing these sps corals to wet live rock, underwater as well as to dry rock to place in our cutting tanks. We use most of our cuttings for grow out and the rest of them are glued back in the mother tank. These corals are by far the easiest corals to propagate. They attach in seconds and grow extremely fast. With the soft corals you see a lot of slime and they do not attach as easily.

REPORT ON THIS YEARS SPECIAL RESEARCH ON SPS CORAL PROPAGATION

We feel that by using the Super Glue method that the cutting heals faster and regenerates without diseases. Another important point is that the sps corals can be quite heavy and the Super Reef Glue molds and holds them in about 40 seconds. Sometimes it takes a little longer depending on the weight of the coral. We have witnessed the sps corals growing right over the Super Reef Glue. It then grows right on the rock you glued it to. You can hardly see there is at least 600 - 800 grams of super reef gel in my 55 gallon sps coral reef aquarium. Once the frag has grown over the Super Reef Glue and grown unto the rock you can simply pop off the frag and the sps coral will continue to grow on the rock.

We have made several cuttings of the sps corals and if done right the polyps come out the very same day. I see them grow faster, healthier, and brighter in color. It is very similar to pruning your roses. If you don't do it right, they won't bloom for you. These corals look like they are almost floating above the base rock. Only the center skeleton is attached at first. These cuttings have been very strong even before the tissue grows down onto the base rock.

The most interesting finding is that none of the polyps around the base die. When we use epoxy some tissue always dies. I love to watch the polyps grow down onto the base rock. They form a circle of polyps around the fragment, and then new branches start up from this base. Small pieces of Porites type corals can be glued to larger rocks by breaking off small pieces from the colony. GROWING SPS CORALS IN PLASTIC BUD VASES

Cutting Bowl Method

We have started to use a bowl of salt water with little pieces of rock placed on the bottom. We add tiny cuttings to the bowl and cover it with netting so nothing can escape. This bowl is placed in the reef aquarium out of the strong current. After the xenia or mushroom attaches to the small rock I pick it out of the bowl and attach it with Super Reef Glue to a bigger rock. This new animal is ready to find a good home. GRAVEL BOWL PROPAGATION

Soft corals are the hardest of propagation but, if you are creative you can find some tricks that work quite well. It takes me about one hour to make 50 cuttings that are ready to set in my cutting tank. They are ready for sale in about two months.

The thing I truly love about it is that I can place 3 - 5 different animals on the same rock. I can put together the most fantastic color combinations that you would never find in nature. I have found the Super Reef Glue to be helpful when my corals grow so fast that they start to grow out of the water. I simply pop them off and glue the animal lower in my system. This method also works when the animals start touching each other. $19.00 COMBO REEF PLUG PROJECT

I believe the coral heals a lot faster with this Super Reef Glue and you can make several babies at once. I hope this article is helpful to all who read it. My hope is that we will continue to go in the direction we are and not limit ourselves to old methods. If we share our knowledge and animals amongst each other we will not have to take so much from the ocean which has given us so much yet, has a limited resource!

Please contact us at the Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation, Inc. if you have any questions about reef aquarium propagation. You can reach Sally Jo and LeRoy Headlee at 208-344-6163.

Sincerely
Sally Jo Headlee

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