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Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2025 9:24 pm
by sweetbread
Just got my first chalice coral, but it's not extending its polyps like I expected. Tank's at 78F, salinity 1.025, with moderate flow. Any tips to get it to open up?
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2025 10:01 pm
by hookedon
Chalices can be picky about light and flow. What's your PAR level? They usually dig lower light, around 100–150 PAR. Also, too much flow can stress 'em out. Try dialing it back a notch.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2025 11:58 pm
by deep_sea
hookedon wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 10:01 pm
Chalices can be picky about light and flow. What's your PAR level? They usually dig lower light, around 100–150 PAR. Also, too much flow can stress 'em out. Try dialing it back a notch.
Yep, hookedon's spot on. I've had success with mine under T5s, about 12 inches from the surface. Also, check your alk stability—chalices hate swings. Keep it between 8–9 dKH.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:03 am
by larson8
Mine took a week to open fully. Maybe give it time? Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 5 ppm.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 1:16 am
by jollybob
Chalices are chill once they settle in. Mine didn't do squat for days, then bam, full extension. Just don't mess with it too much. They hate being moved.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 2:41 am
by flamea
What's your lighting schedule? Mine perked up when I cut the photoperiod from 10 to 8 hours. Also, feed 'em some reef roids if you're not already.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:23 am
by Sunnyo
I've heard some chalices prefer dimmer spots. Maybe try shading it slightly for a few days?
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 5:20 am
by sweetbread
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try reducing the flow and checking my alk. Lights are at 120 PAR, so I might tweak the schedule too.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 7:08 am
by hookedon
sweetbread wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 5:20 am
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try reducing the flow and checking my alk. Lights are at 120 PAR, so I might tweak the schedule too.
Good call. Let us know how it goes. Chalices can be finicky, but once they're happy, they're bulletproof.
Re: Tips for keeping chalice corals
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:39 am
by deep_sea
One more thing—watch for pests. Flatworms and nudis love chalices. Dip new frags and inspect regularly.