chalice corals dont grow

[anthonys51]

wondering if anyone could offer some help.

i have 4 different chalice corals, all are put in low to med flow and low light areas. i have had one for a year others for over 6 months and they dont seem to be growing. they arent dying either just stays the same size. are they really slow growers


alk is 9.5 cal 470 salinity 1.026 temp 78.2
nitrates and phosphates undetectable with api test kit

 

[FindingEmily]

I was recently informed that most chalices like mid to high light and flow.

 

[cloak]

All of the Chalice corals I've had were slow growers as well. (sort of) Within the first 6 months or so it was like this and then they hit their stride and took off. They haven't been to particular about lighting, but I do think they prefer the stronger currents though. Feeding them every now & then also helps. GL.

 

[anthonys51]

yes i heard feeding them helps but they never put out there feeders even at night. how do i get them to feed

 

[Sk8r]

You might use a long tube like a soda straw to get dissolved food to them individually: you know how you transport soft drink in a straw to dump it elsewhere, using your finger to stop the top of it. Same works with food.

 

[anthonys51]

so they eat fine food like reef chilli. i usually feed my other lps finely chopped shrimp. but will try reef chilli with them with filter off

 

[heathlindner25]

If I had to guess, I would say you need phosphates in your water.
0 phosphates.... no good

 

[anthonys51]

i have zero using api test kit. might have some little untraceable amount. but i feed my tank a lot i have 9 fish in a 55 gallon tank. most are small , but i feed them cube of mysit in morning and 1 at night. reef chilli 2 times a week and chopped up shrimp once a week and piece of nori 4 times a week. i dont even run gfo, no idea why i never get algae on glass or rocks. i know my kole tang probably keeps my rocks clean, but even the glass i only clean once a week at most/

 

[Reef Frog]

I was recently informed that most chalices like mid to high light and flow.

There are exceptions, but most chalices will do best in surprisingly low light levels. I've found they are easy enough to scorch under T5 for example if mounted too high on the rock work.

 

[Yonp11]

yes i heard feeding them helps but they never put out there feeders even at night. how do i get them to feed

If I turn off all flow, and place pellet food on top of their eyes, they'll slowly start to ingest it over like 20-30 minutes. By 10-15 minutes they've grabbed onto it enough that I can turn the pumps back on and it won't float away. I use the Fauna Marin LPS pellets if that helps, but they've taken in regular pellet food also.

 

[whosurcaddie]

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[anthonys51]

Thanks thAt helps. Now I just have to fight off my cleaner shrimp and I am good to go lol

 

[JamesFWB]

Honestly, you're almost bragging but not realizing it. I would say be happy they haven't melted away. A lot of frags that I have gotten I would be happy if they were still alive.

Just giving you a hard time of course. but honestly, be happy they are alive, maybe they will just take off in time.

 

[anthonys51]

yes bragging about being mediocre, you got me

 

[mav3rick478]

Don't feel bad I've had my Orange Eye Chalice for a few months and he hasn't grown or shown his feeders either. There were a few times that I've seen the area around his eyes change when feeding Formula One frozen foods but never seen a tentacle ever. My Acan and War Coral are a different story. But like posted above we should be happy they haven't melted away so we must be doing something right lol.