Have rainbow chalices lost their luster?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I LOVE rainbow chalices. I've always wanted to start a collection (they've historically been pricier than my "collectable" budget allows), but it's been a long time since I've seen many hobbyists who shared my fascination with them. I remember when they were all the rage, but has that completely gone away? I know fads in this hobby come and go (I honestly can't get into the euphyllia or goni craze that have been the 2 latest trends, but I know lots of reefers who are), but I guess I'm just surprised that rainbow chalices seem to no longer be a thing?

The things I think about at 4:30 in the morning...

 

[dcal1985]

They are some of my favorites but I'm still relatively new so I haven't really observed the trends yet.

 

[PeterC99]

I was told when I bought this that it was an Ultra Rainbow Chalice but I can’t get it to look anything like it did in the LFS.

Maybe if you can help me somehow to get this thing vibrant again I can share your enthusiasm about chalices!

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

Don't have a rainbow, but I love my Raja Rampage chalice! Haven't gotten into the goni or torch fads, they look nice but not hundreds of dollars nice. I get plenty of nice movement from my $15 duncans and $20 purple-tip hammers haha

 

[jda]

They are cool. They have always been a bit trickier since they are harder to frag and stuff. Some kill them and they are not quite as easy as Euphyllia and other LPS. They will always be cool for those who really know their stuff, IMO. Like most things, they got hurt by the naming and selling for high prices - there are some with a dozen names for the same piece. I currently have the generic Atom Bomb, Clown, whatever multi color and the Gonzos Motor City Mayhem since they are truly different.

 

[Andrew.oh17]

I was lucky enough to take in this guy after a local LFS thought it was a goner - still no idea what it really is. It was about the size of my pinky nail when I got it with one eye left, but you could still see color. It’s finally overtaken the frag plug again and started growing nicely. This chalice completely changed the focus of my tank - now I have 12 different strains of chalice coral in my display.

 

[jda]

That is your typical rainbow chalice that has about a dozen vendor names. Red has an orange edge, blue has green... and vice versa. Eyes can be yellow or purple sometimes. They are cool, especially when they get large. You can sometimes get more plethora of colors when they get large too.

 

[KK's Reef]

Chalices are awesome, but they suffer from fragatitis. They can't be appreciated, or should be judged, from a small frag. The big, grown out colonies look incredible. My LFS has an old Mummy Eye chalice that has overgrown one corner of a display tank. The colors on it are so deep and vibrant. They can be show pieces for sure.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I bought a rainbow chalice frag, this weekend from our local frag show. I have to say I think chalices are under rated.

 

[Reefing102]

According to eBay prices, they still have their price tag unless you find a “no namer”. I just bought two no-namers that I’m waiting to see what they grow out too. I can’t afford the pricy ones

 

[ylreefer]

I'll chime In, you'll be happy to hear that in Hong Kong Rainbow challace is still a thing. A big thing in fact . As soon as one is posted online for sale its snapped up within seconds.

I managed to grab a good deal in a LFS by chance and picked up a 2cm piece for around $80usd. It was the largest of 3. I knew as soon as I walked through the door i only had a min or two . Sure enough the guy who came in behind me took the other 2 which were finger nail size. And I'm talking pinkie here, for the same price lol.

Happy days. Its grown a little in a, few months and it's now been sold due to going FOT. Here's a pic of her. She's now able 3.5cm

 

[ylreefer]

I

I was lucky enough to take in this guy after a local LFS thought it was a goner - still no idea what it really is. It was about the size of my pinky nail when I got it with one eye left, but you could still see color. It’s finally overtaken the frag plug again and started growing nicely. This chalice completely changed the focus of my tank - now I have 12 different strains of chalice coral in my display.

Well done that man. I agree to. Very underrated. And as they seem to be almost indestructible they should be more popular.

I'd definitely have a nano full of challace over euphilia just for easy off care and colour variation umm. Actually I have a 14" cube tank that's doing nothing .

 

[Bj’s Reef]

Congratulations on finding that frag. It really looks bright and bold.

 

[Joe462]

I love chalices in general and especially the rainbow. All my really rainbow ones are still small but I have this oddball purple “rainbow” that I really dig.

 

[IKD]

I love rainbow chalices!

 

[Fourstars]

I’m just letting these grow put.

 

[Johnnyrainbowreefer]

I LOVE rainbow chalices. I've always wanted to start a collection (they've historically been pricier than my "collectable" budget allows), but it's been a long time since I've seen many hobbyists who shared my fascination with them. I remember when they were all the rage, but has that completely gone away? I know fads in this hobby come and go (I honestly can't get into the euphyllia or goni craze that have been the 2 latest trends, but I know lots of reefers who are), but I guess I'm just surprised that rainbow chalices seem to no longer be a thing?

The things I think about at 4:30 in the morning...

No we still love em!

 

[rhostam]

I’ve been wanting to pick up some chalices. But I’m not sure where I’d place them since I’m not sure about growth patterns. It’s hard to find fuller sized colony pictures for many.

 

[mdb_talon]

Chalices in general are still my favorite coral other than acans. I think they can be a hard sell for many because the high end ones still quite pricey even after the strains being in the hobby many years. For the most part for those rainbows you are paying hundreds of dollars for a nub that in a year will be a little bit larger of a nub.

Having said that i think many of the staples that were once somewhat pricey can be had for very affordable amounts now and surprised they dont sell better. I sell a lot of coral frags, but very few people have interest in many chalices unless they are large and cheap....

 

[dlaird76]

Absolutely love them but the super colourful ones are quite difficult to come by in the UK