General chalic question

[cferrell7100]

I have a couple chalice corals in my tank and it looks like there not growing much. They are in the tank with some montipora digita and a frogspawn and they seem to be doing great and growing fast but the chalice which I have had for about a month seems to be the same size. Temp is 75-76 alk is 7.2, calcium about 480-550, Phospate which Im trying to lower is about 0.20. Water changes are done about every two weeks. Am I worried for nothing or could there be a problem

 

[edinphilly]

General chalic question

Can you bump the alk up a bit and keep it between 8 and 9? Have you tested Mg?

Lastly how is it mounted? I have two chalice frags similar sizes that went in at the same time. One I was able to mount very flush to the live rock and it has been growing out. The other didn't mount so flush so it has to grow down (almost like a ball shape) and cover its base and the epoxy before it can even spread.

 

[cferrell7100]

I have not tested the Mg. You are right about the placement one is on a ball and does not look like it has grown much but the other is on a flat disk and seem to be doing better. Tanks for the help I will try to bring the alk up but that brings another question about that. whats the best to do that without bringing up the calcium also. Right now I am using a two part calcium and alkalinity(C-Balance) manually. and Kalk when ever I add fresh water.

 

[edinphilly]

You should be able to use just the alk of the two part to bring alk up a little and then go back to a normal ca/alk regimen to keep it in check.

If you do regular once or twice a month water changes you should be ok on Mg but it is good to test because ca/alk/mg are easy to keep stable when they're all in range. When one falls out the others will be off and harder to keep in check. The chemistry forum has more info. Another thing is if you ever use TechM magnesium additive for the side purpose of battling algae (Google it if you're not familiar) you need to be able to monitor. Red Sea Pro is definitely worth the extra couple bucks for their test kit. Read the full directions the first time you use it as the quick start directions aren't clear on a couple important steps.

But placement is key. I always try and pry most LPS off the frag plug and mount as flush as possible if I'm trying to get it to spread.

 

[cferrell7100]

Thanks, I will try that for now and get a test kit for the Mg. I use the Hanna checkers for the others