to feed or no to feed chalice corals?

[las]

I have read on this site that some people do not feed chalices and experience good growth. Ive also read that some people feed them all the time, even saying that they are pigs. Im confuused and i dont know if i should feed mine. if yes how often?

 

[captstinky]

Many factors at play that influence growth: lighting, water quality, fish load, etc.

I feed my chalice, but just stuck two in a far away corner to see what happens as far as growth/color comparisons go.

 

[shramj]

I do not feed any of my corals directly, I just put a scoop of "Reef Chili" in my tank each day, usually in the morning when the lights are off.

 

[pwoller]

I feed them and since I actually see them eat I know that it is the right thing to do. Try some mysis after your lights are out for an hour or so.

 

[mayjong]

yes, i feed mine. i've found that if i don't feed within an hour or so of lights out, it will not eat...kinda weird.

 

[las]

Why lights out?

can it be when the daylights go out and the actinics are only on?

 

[pwoller]

Why lights out?

can it be when the daylights go out and the actinics are only on?

Because thats when they put out their feeder tenticles. At least thats when mine extend.

 

[las]

man they really eat... what is that 3 mysis per eye? How often do u feed them?
So, i just feed them anytime their feeder tentacles are out?

 

[pwoller]

man they really eat... what is that 3 mysis per eye? How often do u feed them?
So, i just feed them anytime their feeder tentacles are out?

I feed mine at least twice a week. Start off by looking at them around an hour after lights out, see if their tenticles are out or not. I have had some that needed some training to get them eating, meaning I put them next to the others on a frag rack and fed them just like the others. Eventually they will start eating big peices. To prevent other inhabitants from picking the food off them, I put mine on a frag rack near the top of the tank, turn down the powerheads and use a turkey baster to gently put mysis on to them. Good luck.

 

[apshooter]

Why lights out?

can it be when the daylights go out and the actinics are only on?

In addition to the answers already given, chalices are not the fastest eaters. Night feeding will keep any fish from stealing food. I find that Coral Frenzy will help to get the chalices to feed.

 

[pwoller]

In addition to the answers already given, chalices are not the fastest eaters. Night feeding will keep any fish from stealing food. I find that Coral Frenzy will help to get the chalices to feed.

Agreed. Probably best to get them feeding with some smaller food then move up to the mysis. I used to mix in frozen cyclopeez.

 

[luv4paws2]

Mine eat no matter when I feed them, as soon as they "smell" food in the water, the tentacles come out. My mummy eye actually fights with itself over pieces of mysis or krill, funny to watch two mouths trying to eat the same piece.

 

[asonitez]

I mostly feed LPS and Chalices a "chemical/Microscopic food" I got a Glass shot glass for small chalices and a larger one for larger chalices that I put food in (Reef Chili, Cyclopeeze & Amino's and Frozen Food Drain Water) that I spurt under the glass and cover the coral. After like 10 minutes they usually clear the glass of particles and I remove it with my grabber. I only do this once a week or so as time allows.

Usually after a good feed they will FLUFF UP or leave tentacles out for a while after. Sometimes I see them SPIT but they keep healthy.