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Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:32 pm
by dawnix8
My Chalice Coral has been receding for the past week. Tank's a 40-gallon with AI Prime lighting, running at 70% intensity. Params are 8.1 pH, 1.025 salinity, 0 nitrates. I do weekly 10% water changes with Red Sea salt. Any ideas what's up?
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:45 pm
by Folda
What's your alk sitting at? Chalices can be sketchy if alk swings too much. Also, how old's the bulb in your Prime? Might be time to swap it out.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:14 pm
by pineaple
dawnix8 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:32 pm
My Chalice Coral has been receding for the past week. Tank's a 40-gallon with AI Prime lighting, running at 70% intensity. Params are 8.1 pH, 1.025 salinity, 0 nitrates. I do weekly 10% water changes with Red Sea salt. Any ideas what's up?
Zero nitrates might be the issue. They need some nutrients to thrive. Try feeding them reef roids or similar. Also, check for pests like flatworms or nudis.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:51 pm
by fluxo
I had the same thing happen last month. Turned out my magnesium was way low. Test your mag, and maybe bump it up if it's under 1300. Also, how's the flow in your tank? Too much can stress them out.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:53 pm
by flux_42
Yep, low mag messed with mine too. Also, what's your temp stability like? If it's bouncing around, that'll freak them out. Mine chilled out after I got a better heater.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 10:08 pm
by Raveno4
Could be allelopathy from other corals. What's near it? Some LPS can throw off chemicals that bother Chalices. Might need to rearrange your scape.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 11:18 pm
by dawnix8
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll test alk and mag tonight and look into feeding more. Appreciate the help!
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 1:01 am
by Folda
fluxo wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:51 pm
I had the same thing happen last month. Turned out my magnesium was way low. Test your mag, and maybe bump it up if it's under 1300. Also, how's the flow in your tank? Too much can stress them out.
Good point on flow. I've seen Chalices melt in high-flow spots. Maybe try moving it to a lower-flow area and see if it perks up.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 1:25 am
by pineaple
Another thought: how old's your salt mix? Sometimes older batches can have weird imbalances. If you've had it a while, grab a fresh bucket.
Re: Why Is My Chalice Coral Receding?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 2:30 am
by fluxo
pineaple wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 1:25 am
Another thought: how old's your salt mix? Sometimes older batches can have weird imbalances. If you've had it a while, grab a fresh bucket.
Totally. I've had salt go funky after a year. Dawnix8, when's the last time you calibrated your refractometer? A bad reading could throw everything off.