Splice Grafting Technique – Create ‘Designer’ Corals In Your Reef Tank

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever stared at your reef tank, admiring your vibrant coral colonies, and thought, “What if I could create something truly unique?” Maybe you’ve seen those incredible multi-colored Euphyllia or rainbow Acan corals online and wondered how they were made. It feels like a secret art form, reserved only for the pros.

Well, I’m here to let you in on that secret. The magic behind these stunning creations is often a fascinating process called the splice grafting technique. It’s a method that allows you to combine different corals of the same species into a single, spectacular colony.

Imagine creating a “torch garden” with gold, green, and purple heads all growing from one base, or a dazzling Acanthastrea that blends red, blue, and orange into a living masterpiece. This isn’t just a dream—it’s completely achievable, even in your home aquarium.

Stick with me, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll turn that “what if” into “look what I made!”

What Exactly is the Splice Grafting Technique in Reefing?

Think of it like grafting a branch from one apple tree onto another to get a new type of apple. In the aquarium world, the splice grafting technique is the process of taking a piece of one coral (the scion) and attaching it to another coral (the rootstock) so they fuse and grow together as one.

The key here is that they must be from the same family, and usually the same species, for the graft to be successful. You can’t graft a Hammer coral onto an Acropora, for example. But you can graft a gold Hammer onto a green Hammer.

This method allows us to combine different color morphs into a single, multi-colored colony. It’s an incredible way to create a living work of art that is 100% unique to your tank.

Why You’ll Love This: The Benefits of the Splice Grafting Technique

Beyond creating jaw-droppingly beautiful corals, this technique offers some fantastic practical advantages. It’s more than just a cool party trick; it’s a valuable skill for any dedicated reefer.

Here are some of the top benefits of the splice grafting technique:

  • Create “Designer” Corals: This is the big one! You can combine colors and patterns that don’t exist in nature, making your tank a showcase of one-of-a-kind specimens.
  • Save a Struggling Colony: Have a beautiful coral head that detached or is receding from the base? You can graft it onto a healthy, established colony of the same species, giving it a new lease on life and a stable foundation to grow from.
  • Conserve Space: Instead of having three or four separate frag plugs for different color morphs of the same coral, you can combine them into one stunning piece. This frees up valuable real estate in your tank for other inhabitants.
  • Promote a Sustainable Hobby: Mastering a sustainable splice grafting technique means you can create new, high-value corals from existing frags. This reduces the demand for wild-collected specimens, making it a wonderfully eco-friendly splice grafting technique for the modern hobbyist.

Gather Your Gear: Tools & Corals for Success

Before you start playing mad scientist, let’s get your lab set up. Having the right tools on hand makes the process smooth, safe, and much more likely to succeed. Don’t worry—you probably have most of this already!

Essential Tools & Supplies

  1. Coral Cutters or a Bone Saw: You’ll need something sharp and sterile to make clean cuts on the coral skeleton. For branching corals like Euphyllia, a good pair of bone cutters is perfect. For encrusting corals like Acans, a small hobby saw (like a Dremel with a diamond wheel) is ideal.
  2. Thick Cyanoacrylate Super Glue: Use a reef-safe, gel-type super glue. The thicker consistency gives you more working time and creates a stronger initial bond.
  3. Gloves and Eye Protection: Safety first! Many corals can release toxins or have a powerful sting. Always protect your skin and eyes.
  4. Small Containers: You’ll need a few small bowls or containers filled with tank water to hold the corals while you work.
  5. A Stable Work Surface: A clean towel on a flat, well-lit table is perfect. You don’t want anything rolling away.
  6. Frag Plugs or Rubble Rock: This will be the final base for your new grafted creation.

Choosing the Right Corals

The most important rule for a successful graft is compatibility. You need to choose corals from the same species. Here are some of the most popular and successful candidates for grafting:

  • Euphyllia (Torch, Hammer, Frogspawn Corals): These are probably the most commonly grafted corals due to their branching nature. Creating a multi-color “torch tower” is a classic project.
  • Acanthastrea (Acan Lords): Their fleshy, encrusting nature makes them great candidates for creating incredible rainbow colonies.
  • Caulastrea (Candy Cane or Trumpet Corals): Similar to Euphyllia, their branching structure is well-suited for grafting different colored heads together.
  • Favia and Favites: These brain corals can also be grafted, though it requires a bit more precision with the cuts to match the skeletal structure.

When selecting your pieces, choose healthy, vibrant frags. A strong rootstock coral provides the best foundation for a new graft to heal and thrive.

Your Complete Splice Grafting Technique Guide: Step-by-Step

Alright, it’s time for the main event! Take a deep breath—you’ve got this. We’re going to walk through how to splice grafting technique works from start to finish. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be on your way to success.

Step 1: Preparation is Key

First, set up your workspace. Lay down your towel, arrange your tools, and fill your containers with tank water. Place your chosen corals (both the rootstock and the scion) into these containers.

Acclimate the corals to the room temperature for a few minutes. This helps reduce stress during the process.

Step 2: Making the Cut (The Scion)

Take the coral you want to add (the scion). Using your sterile cutters or saw, make a clean, flat cut at its base. The goal is to create a perfectly flat surface that will sit flush against the rootstock.

For a branching coral like a Torch, you might snip off a single head with about half an inch of skeleton below it. For an encrusting coral like an Acan, you’ll be cutting a small frag out of a larger colony.

Pro Tip: Try to minimize tissue damage. A quick, decisive cut is better than a slow, sawing motion that can tear the flesh.

Step 3: Preparing the Rootstock

Now, look at your rootstock coral. This is the larger, established piece that will host the new addition. Identify a spot where the scion will fit perfectly.

You need to create a corresponding flat surface on the rootstock. Gently use your saw or cutters to shave down a small area of the skeleton until it’s flat. The goal is to have two flat skeletal surfaces—one on the scion and one on the rootstock—that can meet perfectly with no gaps.

Make sure you are only cutting the skeleton and not the living tissue on top!

Step 4: The Union

This is the moment of truth! Take both corals out of the water and gently pat the two cut surfaces dry with a paper towel. This is crucial—super glue won’t cure properly on a wet surface.

Apply a generous amount of the gel super glue to the flat surface of the scion. Don’t be shy with it!

Carefully and firmly press the glued surface of the scion onto the prepared flat surface of the rootstock. Hold it in place for 30-60 seconds to allow the glue to form a strong initial bond. You should see the coral tissue from both pieces touching or very close to touching.

Step 5: Final Mounting

Once the two pieces are securely bonded to each other, you can glue the entire new creation onto a frag plug or a piece of rubble rock for stability in your tank.

Give the glue another minute or two to fully cure before placing it back in the water.

Post-Grafting Care: A Splice Grafting Technique Care Guide

Your beautiful new coral is created, but the work isn’t over. The first couple of weeks are critical for the graft to heal and fuse. Following this splice grafting technique care guide is essential for long-term success.

Here are some splice grafting technique best practices for post-operative care:

  • Placement is Everything: Place the newly grafted coral in an area of your tank with low to moderate flow. Too much flow can stress the tissue and break the glue bond before the skeletons have a chance to fuse.
  • Moderate Lighting: Don’t blast it with high light right away. Place it lower in the tank or in a slightly shaded area to let it recover without the added stress of intense lighting. You can slowly move it back to its ideal spot over a few weeks.
  • Keep It Clean: Ensure no algae or detritus settles on the seam where the two corals meet. You can use a turkey baster to gently puff away any debris that collects there.
  • Feed for Success: After a few days, you can start target-feeding the coral. Small, nutritious foods like enriched brine shrimp or dedicated LPS coral food will provide the energy it needs to heal the tissue and grow.
  • Patience is a Virtue: The tissue will start to merge over the first 1-2 weeks, but it can take a month or more for the skeleton to fully fuse. Be patient and observe. As long as both parts of the coral show good polyp extension and color, you’re on the right track.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Splice Grafting Technique

Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. Don’t get discouraged! Learning from mistakes is part of the fun. Here are some common problems with splice grafting technique and how to fix them.

Problem: The Graft Didn’t Take and the Pieces Separated.

Cause: This is often due to a poor glue bond, too much flow, or an uneven connection between the pieces.

Solution: You can try again! Take the pieces out, ensure the surfaces are clean and dry, and re-glue them. Make sure the surfaces are perfectly flat and sit flush. Place the re-grafted piece in an even lower-flow area of the tank.

Problem: One or Both Corals are Receding at the Seam.

Cause: This can be a sign of infection or stress. It could also indicate that the corals, while the same species, were not compatible (a rare but possible outcome).

Solution: Ensure your water parameters are pristine. You can perform a small water change to ensure water quality is high. A coral dip (using a product like iodine) before grafting can help prevent infection. If recession continues, you may need to separate the pieces and let them heal individually.

Problem: The Tissue Isn’t Merging.

Cause: The gap between the coral tissues might be too large, or the corals are under stress.

Solution: Make sure the skeletons are joined as tightly as possible so the living flesh is touching. Review your care routine—check flow, lighting, and consider target feeding to encourage growth and healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Splice Grafting Technique

Can I graft any two corals together?

No, this is the most important rule! You can only graft corals of the same species. For example, a Euphyllia glabrescens (Torch Coral) can be grafted to another Torch Coral, but not to a Euphyllia paraancora (Hammer Coral). The closer the relation, the higher the chance of success.

How long does it take for the graft to fully heal?

The soft tissue will typically start to merge within one to two weeks. The underlying skeleton, however, can take several months to fully fuse together. You’ll know it’s a success when you can no longer see the seam and the coral grows as a single, unified colony.

Is this technique harmful to the corals?

When done correctly, it’s very safe. It’s essentially an advanced form of fragging. There is an initial stress period, just like with any fragging, but healthy corals recover quickly and thrive. Following the proper care guide is crucial to minimize stress and ensure a healthy recovery.

Your Turn to Create!

You now have all the knowledge you need to master the splice grafting technique. It might seem a little intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding skills you can develop as a reefer.

It allows you to express your creativity, save struggling corals, and contribute to a more sustainable hobby. Every grafted piece you create is a testament to your dedication and skill.

So go ahead, pick out a couple of frags, and give it a try. Start with something simple like two Candy Cane corals. Your reef tank is your canvas, and you’re the artist. Go forth and create something amazing!

Howard Parker
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