TSA Demogorgon Chalice Coral

TSA Demogorgon Chalice Coral

Chalice LPS

Overview

Demogorgon Chalice Coral shows a low, plating growth with raised ridges and brightly colored eyes. Classified as Echinophyllia sp. Coral, it is a stony, encrusting/plating LPS that prefers moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It relies on symbiotic algae for energy but accepts small meaty foods at night, which can support faster growth and coloration. Place on stable rock or sand with space around it, as sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate
Lighting Low–Moderate
Flow Moderate, indirect
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 8–9 dKH
Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm
Feeding photosynthetic, small chopped mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, rotifers, copepods, cyclops, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods (reef roids), marine snow

Care & Placement

Demogorgon Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) prefers low to moderate light (60–150 PAR) and gentle, indirect flow that keeps tissue clean without lifting edges. Begin in lower areas or shaded ledges; slowly increase light over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching. Place on stable rock with the rim supported; avoid direct sand contact. Leave 3–6 inches of space from neighbors—chalices deploy stingers at night and can burn soft and stony corals. Feed 1–3 times weekly at dusk with small meaty foods (mysis, reef roids, finely chopped seafood) when feeding tentacles are out; moderate nutrients support color: nitrate 5–15 ppm and phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Use a turkey baster occasionally to blow off detritus.Keep stable water: temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm. Chalices are sensitive to rapid alkalinity swings and sudden light/flow changes; test weekly with reliable kits and verify periodically with lab testing. Acclimate with a 30–45 minute drip, then coral dip to remove pests. Common issues: edge recession (often from high light or unstable alk), tissue lifting (excess flow), and browning (too little light or very low nutrients). If stressed, lower PAR, reduce direct flow, feed lightly, and improve stability. For compatibility, avoid aggressive LPS and fast-growing encrusters nearby, and mount on an island rock to control spread.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Demogorgon Chalice Coral

  • Why does my Demogorgon Chalice Coral lose neon contrast under brighter lights?
    Echinophyllia sp. often mute or brown under high PAR or white-heavy spectra. Aim for 50–150 PAR with blue-leaning output to keep fluorescence. Acclimate slowly to any increase. Excess light can trigger edge recession and algae on exposed skeleton. If colors fade, reduce intensity 15–25%, extend blue photoperiod, and maintain moderate nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm).
  • How can I prevent tissue recession along the plate edges?
    Edge peel is commonly linked to alkalinity swings, sand abrasion, or direct laminar flow. Keep alkalinity stable (7.5–9 dKH with <0.3 dKH daily change), avoid blasting flow across the rim, and mount the chalice slightly angled so debris sheds. If recession starts, trim dead skeleton, perform an iodine dip, and reduce light temporarily while improving gentle, turbulent flow.
  • What’s the best way to feed this chalice for faster eye growth?
    Feed after lights out when feeder tentacles extend. Target tiny meaty particles (reef roids, cyclops, finely minced mysis) 2–3 times weekly. Turn off flow for 10–15 minutes to improve capture. Consistent small feedings tend to add eyes faster than large, infrequent meals. Avoid overfeeding that fuels vermetid snails or film algae, which can irritate tissue and slow growth.
  • Are there aggression concerns unique to this chalice?
    Yes—night sweepers can reach 2–3 inches and burn nearby fleshy corals. Give space, especially from acans, micromussa, and torches (which can sting back). Chalices can also suffer from vermetid mucus threads; remove snails or cap their tubes. Mount away from shifting sand and urchin paths to prevent abrasion of the thin edge tissue.