Chalice Coral Feeding Response Guide: Spot Feed Reef Roids
Few corals reward targeted feeding like the chalice. Chalice coral feeding with Reef Roids twice weekly drives both colour saturation and tissue growth in Echinopora lamellosa, Mycedium and Oxypora species — and the polyp response itself is one of the most satisfying displays in the LPS hobby. This guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers the species, the feeding triggers, schedule, and how to coax response out of stubborn specimens that refuse to extend.
What Counts as a Chalice
The hobby term covers several genera with similar plate or scroll growth and small fluorescent polyps embedded in the surface. Echinopora lamellosa grows as scrolling plates; Mycedium elephantotus shows raised eyes around each corallite; Oxypora lacera forms thinner encrusting plates. Common high-value morphs include Bubble Gum Monster, Hollywood Stunner, My Miami and Watermelon — the latter often pricing at SGD 250-700 per 4 cm frag.
The Feeding Response Mechanism
Chalice polyps stay tucked into the skeleton during the day and emerge at dusk. Adding amino acids or particle suspension into the water column triggers the polyps to extend and form transparent feeding tentacles. A well-conditioned chalice responds within 5-10 minutes of dosing. New imports often take two to three weeks before showing response — patience matters.
Reef Roids as the Standard
Polyplab Reef Roids is the de facto standard particle feed for chalices because the powder dissolves into a fine suspension at the right size for chalice polyps. Mix half a teaspoon with tank water in a small cup, kill the return pump for 10 minutes, then drip the slurry over the chalice with a turkey baster. Resume flow after 20 minutes once the coral has grabbed onto the particles.
Spot Feeding Schedule
Twice weekly is the sweet spot — typically Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Daily feeding causes nuisance algae blooms and runs nitrate up. Skip feeding during salt-mix changes or after dosing alkalinity to prevent particle binding to calcium carbonate. The marine and saltwater range covers Reef Roids, oyster feast, amino acids and feeding tools.
Lighting Tier
Chalices want low-to-medium PAR, 80-180 µmol. Higher intensity bleaches the named-morph colours within weeks — the Hollywood Stunner pinks turn white, the Bubble Gum oranges fade. A Kessil A360X at 40 per cent or Radion XR15 G6 at 50 per cent suits most builds. Place chalices on shaded shelves under overhangs where the spectrum is heavy on blue.
Flow Pattern
Moderate, indirect flow keeps detritus off the plate without folding the soft tissue. A Maxspect Gyre on alternating mode or Ecotech Vortech on Reef Crest works. Direct laminar flow burns the plate edges. Position chalices in flow shadows behind taller rockwork. Compatible flow gear lives in the aquarium equipment range.
Aggression Range
Chalices extend long sweeper tentacles at night — frequently 8-15 cm beyond the plate edge. They are among the most aggressive LPS toward neighbours. Allow 15-20 cm clearance from any other coral. Two chalices placed close to each other will fight over months until one out-eats and overgrows the other.
Water Parameters
Standard reef numbers: salinity 1.025, alkalinity 8-9 dKH, calcium 420-440 ppm, magnesium 1320-1380 ppm, nitrate 5-15 ppm, phosphate 0.05-0.10 ppm. Chalices like slightly higher nutrients than SPS — too clean a system and the polyps thin out. The water care range covers test kits and salt mixes.
When the Coral Refuses to Eat
New imports often refuse feeding for two to four weeks. Check parameter stability, light placement and flow direction first. Try amino acid dosing for one week before reintroducing Reef Roids — sometimes the polyps respond to dissolved amino signals before they accept particle food. Bayer-dipped specimens occasionally suppress feeding for an additional fortnight.
Singapore Sourcing
Aquamarin, Iwarna and select Carousell sellers run regular chalice imports from Australia and Indonesia. Entry-level chalices start at SGD 60-120 for 3-4 cm frags. Named morphs (Bubble Gum Monster, My Miami, Hollywood Stunner) command SGD 200-800. Reef Roids retails at SGD 35-50 per 60g jar in Singapore — a single jar lasts six to nine months at twice-weekly dosing.
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emilynakatani
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