How do Cahlice's grow?

[Reefdad]

I have a frag of a lava eye chalice. It seems to be doing great and eating well. It now has two new eyes forming but no growth at the outer edges. With the addition of two new eyes I would think I would see growth around the outer edges. Is this not true? ???

 

[Gomer]

they tend to grow pretty slow. How long have you had it? Is your Mg/Ca/Alk maintained?

 

[Reefdad]

I got It at BAYMAC this few months ago. As far as Mg I dont check it. CA I have been at 420 but raising it to 460 for my SPS. and my Alk/Dkh is 13

 

[sfsuphysics]

well the prettier it is usually the slower it'll grow

 

[GreshamH]

[quote author=Reefdad link=topic=6100.msg77406#msg77406 date=1233244697]
I got It at BAYMAC this few months ago. As far as Mg I dont check it. CA I have been at 420 but raising it to 460 for my SPS. and my Alk/Dkh is 13
[/quote]

460 CA
13 DKH

That's pretty dang high for CA, especially since you don't know you MG. It's just as important as CA/ALK.

 

[tuberider]

Yeah, I run my Ca ~420 and I still get real good growth from my SPS, also your alk is high as well, which leaves little margin for error when it comes to alk burn.

AFA chalice growth it really depends on the species/genus, the true chalice (Echinopora) scrolls, hence the name chalice. The others, Mycedium, Oxypora, Echinophyllia etc. tend to encrust, I have also seen encrusting/branching Echinophyllia before, the brancing alien eye that Matt used to sell comes to mind as well as the Darth Maul.

 

[Reefdad]

Ok well I will get my CA down to 120, and I guess the only way to lower my Alk/Dkh is water changes? And when I get a mag test kit what should be my ideal renge?

 

[tuberider]

[quote author=Reefdad link=topic=6100.msg77487#msg77487 date=1233277457]
Ok well I will get my CA down to 120, and I guess the only way to lower my Alk/Dkh is water changes? And when I get a mag test kit what should be my ideal renge?
[/quote]

I shoot for 1250 for the Mag, if you can get a SeaChem kit, they are a bit of a PITA to use, but the results are very accurate. AFA lowering alk you can let it drop over the course of time or do a water change with Red Sea Coral Pro salt, it has pretty low alk (~8 dkh IIRC)

BTW, I hope you mean 420 on the Ca...

 

[Reefdad]

Yea thanks I meant 420. And what would be ideal for alk/Dkh 8, 9, 10?

 

[tuberider]

For 420 Ca I'd run ~8.5-9 dkh