Hole size for frag plugs?

[JimON]

This weekend I am going to start work on the aquascape, and I want to predrill a mess of holes for future plugs. What size hole do I drill? Also, best spacing? TIA!!

[Valentini89]

Originally Posted by JimON

This weekend I am going to start work on the aquascape, and I want to predrill a mess of holes for future plugs. What size hole do I drill? Also, best spacing? TIA!!

Depends on what size plugs you are putting in, and the spacing is up to you but I wouldn't drill them too close.

[JimON]

OK, thank you. What is the range of size of plugs? What is too close? Hard numbers please?

[AlSimmons]

3/8" maybe?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/oceans...s-25-pack.html

[JimON]

Thank you, Al. Exactly what I was looking for.

[AlSimmons]

[Ron Reefman]

I drilled 3/8" holes all over my live rock before I did the last rockscape. My frag plugs fit just fine. But I've picked up frags from several other places recently and they are all just a tiny bit too big to fit in the 3/8" hole. My plugs still fit OK.If I were doing it again, I'd go just a bit bigger.

Good luck. IMHO this is an excellent idea, especially if you are going to be getting corals as frags. And although Al says not to make them too close together, I say why not? With lots of holes you have lots of options. And you don't have to fill every hole. In fact, after only a month, if you didn't know where to look in my tank, you'd be hard pressed to find more than a couple of holes. They 'blend in' very quickly in a mature tank. It will probably take longer in a very new set up.

[JimON]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

I drilled 3/8" holes all over my live rock before I did the last rockscape. My frag plugs fit just fine. But I've picked up frags from several other places recently and they are all just a tiny bit too big to fit in the 3/8" hole. My plugs still fit OK.If I were doing it again, I'd go just a bit bigger.

Good luck. IMHO this is an excellent idea, especially if you are going to be getting corals as frags. And although Al says not to make them too close together, I say why not? With lots of holes you have lots of options. And you don't have to fill every hole. In fact, after only a month, if you didn't know where to look in my tank, you'd be hard pressed to find more than a couple of holes. They 'blend in' very quickly in a mature tank. It will probably take longer in a very new set up.

Hi Ron, thanks a bunch! So if you were to do it over again, you would make them say 7/16"? It was my thinking, too, that a bunch of holes may or may not be used, but it is easier to drill 'em dry!. Besides, nothing wrong with more surface area for bacteria! Thanks again.

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by JimON

Hi Ron, thanks a bunch! So if you were to do it over again, you would make them say 7/16"? It was my thinking, too, that a bunch of holes may or may not be used, but it is easier to drill 'em dry!. Besides, nothing wrong with more surface area for bacteria! Thanks again.

Exactly! I don't know why I've never heard of anybody doing it before! It works great. And you can even more corals around if they need a change in light or flow.

Now one the frags start to get big and encrust off the frag plug, it's not much help. But in new tanks, I think it should be something new reefers should be considering.

[JimON]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Now one the frags start to get big and encrust off the frag plug

The goal of this whole thing!!! Thanks Ron!

[AlSimmons]

Personally I would just cut the stems off the frag plugs and then glue the disks somewhere on the rocks instead. A little epoxy can be used in the gaps for a smooth transition if need be. Drilling a bunch of holes just sounds like more trouble than it's worth IMO. (also unsightly) Just something to think about.

[JimON]

Too late! This morning I cut eggcrate to fit the tank and overflow, then spent a couple hours fooling around with different stacks of rock. Once I had the scape that looked right, I drilled away. I am using Marco rocks, and the holes that are in the rock already provide a great guide to just widen them out a bit to ensure a plug will fit. You really can't see them, and it took WAY longer to get the stacks right than to drill. Well worth the time, me thinks, even if I don't use all the holes. Here is a pic.