Miami Chalice

Miami Chalice: Care Guide for This Vivid LPS Coral

The Miami Chalice is a stunning large-polyp stony (LPS) coral prized for its electric colors and swirling patterns. Its mix of blues, greens, and neon eyes makes it a centerpiece in many reef aquariums, especially under modern LED lighting. This guide covers care, placement, and long-term success with this eye-catching coral.

Lighting & Placement for Miami Chalice

Miami Chalice typically prefers moderate lighting and gentle to moderate flow. Too much intensity can wash out color or cause tissue recession, while too little can dull its vivid hues.

  • Lighting: PAR in the 80–150 range is a safe target for most systems.
  • Placement: Start on the sandbed or lower rockwork and slowly move up if needed.
  • Flow: Aim for indirect, random flow that keeps detritus off the surface without blasting the tissue.
  • Shading: Avoid placing it directly under high-intensity LEDs without acclimation.

Because Miami Chalice tends to grow in an encrusting, plate-like form, give it room to expand. Avoid placing it too close to other corals, as it can extend sweeper tentacles at night.

Water Parameters & Feeding

Like most LPS, Miami Chalice thrives in stable, clean, but nutrient-available water. Stability is more important than chasing perfect numbers.

  • Temperature: 76–78°F (24–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
  • Calcium: 420–450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
  • Nitrate: 5–15 ppm
  • Phosphate: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Miami Chalice can capture food with its feeding tentacles, especially after lights out.

  • Offer small meaty foods like mysis, brine, or reef-specific frozen blends.
  • Target feed once or twice per week for faster growth and richer coloration.
  • Turn off or reduce flow briefly during feeding so food can settle on the coral.

Tip: If the coral retracts and refuses food, double-check parameters and reduce light intensity for a week or two.

Compatibility, Growth, and Long-Term Care

Miami Chalice is generally peaceful but can be semi-aggressive at close range. Plan your aquascape so it can spread without stinging neighbors.

  • Keep at least a few inches of space from other LPS and soft corals.
  • Watch for sweeper tentacles at night and adjust spacing if you see damage.
  • Use a stable dosing schedule for alkalinity and calcium as it grows.

For more on building a balanced reef around showpiece corals like Miami Chalice, see our guides on zoanthid care and beginner LPS corals. If you are planning a new system, our reef tank setup checklist can help you design a stable environment from day one.

With thoughtful placement, steady parameters, and occasional feeding, Miami Chalice can reward you with intense color and unique growth patterns for years, becoming one of the most striking corals in your reef.