How to mount chalices for good growth

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I'm aboutbto get a frag pack of chalices this week or next. What's the best way to mount these for the best growth? I've heard to glue them to big frag disks but not sure where to get them. Where do I buy them? Thanks
 
The best way to mount is on a smooth frag plug, disk, or tile that way they can grow straight out without any obstacles. Just make sure leave them undisturbed and if they have eyes try to feed them. I've found with my chalices that when fed often they grow much faster. Hope that helps some.
 
One of the LFS's in my area sells the 1.5" diameter frag discs, so I use those. However, I've also heard that mounting the frag vertical helps encourage growth as well... crazy right???

I'm not sure how legit the suggestion was, but I have a friend who did it with a Pink Watermelon Chalice that hadn't been growing for over a year... For whatever reason it seemed to jump start the growth again.
 
One of the LFS's in my area sells the 1.5" diameter frag discs, so I use those. However, I've also heard that mounting the frag vertical helps encourage growth as well... crazy right???

I'm not sure how legit the suggestion was, but I have a friend who did it with a Pink Watermelon Chalice that hadn't been growing for over a year... For whatever reason it seemed to jump start the growth again.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Might be worth cutting one of my colonies in half and testing it.
 
Yeah I had never heard of it before either, but for whatever reason it seems to be working for him. It's really the only variable he's changed as well.
 
I only have one Chalice that I just layed on top of a big peice of rock towards the top of my tank and forgot about it other than feeding the tank and it has grown about 6 times the begining size in 7 or 8 months. I think that if given the proper light, flow and food they will grow anywhere and anyhow you place them.
 
One of the LFS's in my area sells the 1.5" diameter frag discs, so I use those. However, I've also heard that mounting the frag vertical helps encourage growth as well... crazy right???

I'm not sure how legit the suggestion was, but I have a friend who did it with a Pink Watermelon Chalice that hadn't been growing for over a year... For whatever reason it seemed to jump start the growth again.

thats really interesting
i wonder if it matters if you place cut side on top or bottom if you do cut it
theres lots we could try here, but never really thought about vertical!
 
I only have one Chalice that I just layed on top of a big peice of rock towards the top of my tank and forgot about it other than feeding the tank and it has grown about 6 times the begining size in 7 or 8 months. I think that if given the proper light, flow and food they will grow anywhere and anyhow you place them.

Some chalices are notorious slow growers though. It really depends on which ones you have. Some also get INSANE coloration in lower par conditions, so I think it truly varies from piece to piece.

thats really interesting
i wonder if it matters if you place cut side on top or bottom if you do cut it
theres lots we could try here, but never really thought about vertical!

I would assume putting the cut edge down. I really think I'm gonna try this today with my Lava Flow chalice.
 
Its all hit or miss. Definitely try to get them to mount flush so they aren't growing downward or underneath themselves.

Also I've tried mounting some vertical but they aren't able to catch detritus as easily to feed on, also feeding them when vertical is more difficult IMO.
 
Its all hit or miss. Definitely try to get them to mount flush so they aren't growing downward or underneath themselves.

Also I've tried mounting some vertical but they aren't able to catch detritus as easily to feed on, also feeding them when vertical is more difficult IMO.

yes, that's right... if you have a chunky frag... mount it flush so it doesn't waste energy growing DOWN around the sides of the frag. Use a dremel to notch a place for the frag.
 
Great advice guys. I'm definitely going to try these out when I get my pieces from ddrfish. Could you guys direct me to a site that sells such large frag discs that are suitable for chalice growout? Thanks
 
Great advice guys. I'm definitely going to try these out when I get my pieces from ddrfish. Could you guys direct me to a site that sells such large frag discs that are suitable for chalice growout? Thanks

Actually you can go to Lowe's and buy *CERAMIC* tiles in several sizes. Boil them to remove any glue or paper on the back, rinse well, and use them. Make sure you get ceramic tiles and not some made from quarried stone which might release things in the water that you'd rather do without. I've been using them for several years with much success.
 
I use the 2 1/4" disk and get them on ebay. I like the larger disk for my chalices
 
Yeah they grow fast for me on flat surface once they reach the sand it's even faster.

So once they grow out over the frag disc they will encrust on the sand? Could you guys direct me to a site that sells the large frag discs?
 
Sanddollar skeletons are round and flat, some are 3 to 4 inches. Thats what I use.
 
So once they grow out over the frag disc they will encrust on the sand? Could you guys direct me to a site that sells the large frag discs?

Hey man, I didn't realize that was you until I made the connection from what you said in the PM on MARSH :) . I already mounted the chalices on plugs, they all look great so far but are still healing. They will be fine on the plugs for a while, then you can cut off the plug-stem and glue it on a disk. Once a chalice outgrows a plug/disk/tile it starts to plate out over the sand and grows a lot quicker. I think the chalices will be healed enough by next weekend.
 
I don't own any chalices yet, but will in the near future. If chalices grow faster once they have covered the disc and spread onto the sand, wouldn't you want to use the smallest disc possible?
 
I don't own any chalices yet, but will in the near future. If chalices grow faster once they have covered the disc and spread onto the sand, wouldn't you want to use the smallest disc possible?

tissue is very delicate. if it flips over and rubs on the sand you might lose it
 

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