Purple Up

[Pholder]

I have seen this stuff called purple up. Is it a good product? and if so when should i add it to my tank. ( my tank is going through its first cycle)

[Jason2301]

Just let it cycle. Lot's of opinions on purple up out there so this may be a long thread but, my personal experience tells me it is a waste of money. Congrats and welcome.

[mg426]

Its not needed. Just Cycle your system then look into Calcium and Alk dosing. Take a look in the Chemietry forum for articles by Randy Holmes farley.

[Shagsbeard]

The best rule to use on products like this is:

Never add anything to your tank that you aren't able to test for.

That applies to products like purple up that you really have no idea what they do. Maintain your calcium levels and alkalinity and you'll have no problem maintaining coraline.

[Sepeku]

Worth noting, is the color spectrum of the lights too. Acintics seem to favor coraline growth.

[coyoteseven]

Best coraline growth additive:

1. Go to grocery store and get a can of pickling lime, not pickling salt (Mrs. wages, Ball, etc.)

2. Add 1 Tbs. (tablespoon) of lime to 1 gallon RO/DI

3. Drip needed amount of this mixture (a.k.a. Kalkwasser) into tank as top off

4. Enjoy massive coraline growth


Average cost per gallon: $0.02 - $0.05

JMHO

[Reef_bones]

All the advise so far is awesome, and I would advise following it. Here are a few articles that can be found at Reefkeeping Magazine that I would also advise reading:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

Calcium and Alkalinity
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between
Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements
for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

All of which can be found here:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php

Welcome to RC and the hobby. Good Luck! :D

[markoantoniojr]

but what if you cant drip it into your tank?