Chalice Question

[BantyRooster97]

New to chalices, just a quick dumb question. Basically, what is the difference between chalices & monti's? Not the technical difference, I understand they are different animals, but they both basically encrust what they are on and are rigid correct?

 

[James M]

Not a dumb question
Yes both encrust and have ridges but ones a lps and ones a sps.
There are also different species of Montipora

 

[BantyRooster97]

But besides one is called a LPS vs SPS, they both act the same in the tank correct? Basically encrusting in all directions from where they are placed?

 

[eggplantparrot]

But besides one is called a LPS vs SPS, they both act the same in the tank correct? Basically encrusting in all directions from where they are placed?

careful with the chalice placement though, mine sends out sweepers every night and its makin me kinda nervous

 

[DSC reef]

But besides one is called a LPS vs SPS, they both act the same in the tank correct? Basically encrusting in all directions from where they are placed?

In the sense of encrusting only then yes and that's where it ends. Their requirements, growth and agression are all very different.

 

[eggplantparrot]

i think plating montis are completely rigid, but ive noticed new growth on my chalice can actually move slightly, sometimes new growth would droop downwards, and other times it would be curved upwards, not too sure on how thats happening.

 

[BantyRooster97]

In the sense of encrusting only then yes and that's where it ends. Their requirements, growth and agression are all very different.

Please elaborate. I've got a couple of montis, and want to get a couple chalices, but want to know what I'm getting into first.

 

[BantyRooster97]

I've had plating (cup) montis in the past as well... now I have encrusting.

 

[eggplantparrot]

Please elaborate. I've got a couple of montis, and want to get a couple chalices, but want to know what I'm getting into first.

chalices require less light than montis i think, they send out sweeper tentacles that sting other coral around them unlike montis, mine also seems to grow a bit faster than my montis.

 

[DSC reef]

Please elaborate. I've got a couple of montis, and want to get a couple chalices, but want to know what I'm getting into first.

It's a completely different coral. Growth rate, light requirements, nutrient levels, etc, all play a roll. Chalice down low, montis usually up higher.

 

[BantyRooster97]

ok, thx. Yeah, my montis like more light. I just don't want to have too many encrusting corals in the tank. But if chalices can go low, they can go down on the sand. Do they need a rock or something to encrust? Or will they just grow out over the sand bed off their plug?

 

[eggplantparrot]

ok, thx. Yeah, my montis like more light. I just don't want to have too many encrusting corals in the tank. But if chalices can go low, they can go down on the sand. Do they need a rock or something to encrust? Or will they just grow out over the sand bed off their plug?

mine is encrusting over the plug AND growing a plate outwards. there was a thread showing a chalice that actually grew into a cup shape, really cool looking. i think it was called "12G long and dirty" or something like that

 

[DSC reef]

Some chalice corals can encrust, plate over the plug and even scroll.