Crayola Meltdown Chalice Coral

Crayola Meltdown Chalice Coral

Overview

Crayola Meltdown Chalice Coral displays a multicolored, melting pattern with raised corallite eyes on a thin plate. Echinophyllia sp. is a hard plating chalice coral that prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic through symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings at night, which can support growth and coloration. Place it on a stable surface with space around it, as it can extend stinging tentacles and damage nearby corals.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate
Lighting Low–Moderate
Flow Low–Moderate
Placement Low–Mid
Temperament Aggressive (6–8 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F
pH 8.1–8.4
Salinity 1.025–1.026
Calcium 400–450 ppm
AlkAlkalinity 8–10 dKH
Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm
Feeding photosynthetic, microplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, cyclops, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, coral-specific powdered foods, marine snow

Care & Placement

Crayola Meltdown Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) prefers low to moderate light (PAR 75–150) and gentle, indirect flow that keeps detritus from settling without lifting tissue. Start it low and light-acclimate with reduced photoperiod or window screen to avoid bleaching; increase intensity slowly over 2–3 weeks. Target-feed 1–2 times weekly after lights out when feeding tentacles extend, using fine meaty foods (mysis slurry, reef foods, powdered plankton) with pumps off for 10–15 minutes. Aim for stable parameters: temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Avoid rapid swings; low nutrients can cause fading and recession, while excess nutrients fuel algae. Test weekly and use a PAR meter if possible.Place on the sandbed or lower rock ledges with 3–4 inches clearance from neighbors; it can extend short sweepers at night and is moderately aggressive. Mount with room to grow outward; prevent shadows over its rim. Drip acclimate 20–30 minutes and dip to remove pests. Common issues: bleaching (reduce light, increase feeding), tissue recession from the base (improve stability, check for pests, adjust flow to prevent waste buildup), and brown jelly (isolate, siphon, iodine dip, improve oxygenation). Keep surfaces clean, maintain consistent alkalinity, and watch for encrusting spread toward less tolerant corals. Regular, small adjustments and steady conditions are key to color and growth.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Crayola Meltdown Chalice Coral

  • Why does my Crayola Meltdown Chalice lose contrast or “melt” its colors under bright light?
    This morph prefers modest PAR (50–120). Intense, white-heavy lighting washes out pigments and can cause edge recession. Shift to blue-leaning spectrum, reduce PAR gradually 10–15% per week, and maintain nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1). Sudden alkalinity swings also dull colors; keep 8–9 dKH stable. Expect color to rebound over 2–6 weeks after corrections.
  • My colony grows unevenly with thick rims and a receding center—what’s going on?
    Echinophyllia can shade its own center as rims plate outward. Low flow and detritus trapped in the bowl-shaped center fuel tissue loss. Increase cross-flow to keep the center clean, turkey-baste weekly, and slightly raise the coral or rotate it monthly. Target-feed the shaded area at night to encourage regrowth.
  • How can I feed it effectively without fish and shrimp stealing the food?
    Feed after lights out when feeding filaments extend. Use small-micron foods (reef roids, cyclops) mixed with amino acids; broadcast a tiny amount first to prime a feeding response, then spot-feed. Dome the coral with a cut bottle or feeding hat for 10–20 minutes. Limit to 1–2 targeted feeds weekly to avoid nutrient spikes.
  • What causes sudden edge recession on an otherwise stable chalice?
    Common triggers: alk swings, vermetid snail irritation, chemical warfare from soft corals, and low-flow grime at the margin. Confirm stable parameters, clip or epoxy over vermetid tubes, run fresh carbon, and improve indirect flow. If tissue is peeling, perform an iodine dip and reduce light 20–30% for a week. Early action often halts losses.