starburst polpy propagation

[atrocity]

I have a batch of met. green starbursts i want to spread to a flat rock of my second tank. Ive heard that starbursts are pretty easy to do because you apprantly just have to peel the mat off. After peeling this mat off could I just acclimate the mat to the second tank then attatch to the rock by means of a type of net (I read that with polyps you can use net to attatch them to surfaces then tie or rubberband the net). Ide prefer to not have to take the rock out and glue it because its at the bottom of my aquascaping. If this netting technique would work, how long before tghey attatched on their own to the rock?

[FishinInTheDark]

Just use gel super glue and stick the mat onto your rock. If you dry the back of the matt with a paper towel and apply the glue, you can stick it onto the rock underwater and should have no problems! I have done this several times, and the only problem I ever had was gluing myself to the rock along with the polyps! That way, you don't have to look at the net for a few weeks while it grows on.

[atrocity]

Is removing the mat from the rock going to place a load of stress or tissue damage to the polyps? Will I be allright to peel off and start acclimation in a different tank?

[atrocity]

Also, is there a brand of glue you guys prefer/ where can I purchase it?

[Condiman]

Is removing the mat from the rock going to place a load of stress or tissue damage to the polyps? Will I be allright to peel off and start acclimation in a different tank?


You would be very surprized on how durable the GSP are. They should be ok to peal off of your rock. As for your second question. It should be ok as long as your other tank is properly setup.

[Sugar Magnolia]

For the glue gel. look for cyanoacrylate as the main ingedient and be sure to use the gel variety. The regulat form of super glue is way too thin. I've used the Duro brand and Loctite brand of super glue gel, both being very good. Walmart, Kmart, any home improvement store will carry this. You can also try a hobby shop.

[atrocity]

Well, I Got it in the other tank, couldnt place it where I wanted because of the shape of the rock/bottom of mat, so hopefully their mat will quickly spread where they are at now so it doesnt look as if it were "placed there"

My best success is to grow this out on a glass 10 gallon bare bottom tank. I then using a sticker scraper (razor blade type) peel up said mat and then glue it to the rocks of my choice. I have in the past grown it out on to powerhead covers, intake and exhaust tubes and all matter of other gear to clean up the look of the tank from distratctions