Purlpe Up x2

[Strega]

I've been using Purple Up for a year now and was wondering if I could double the dose or maybe dose twice daily without adverse effects. Or maybe someone could suggest a good Calcium reactor for my tank. (20 long display, 10g refugium/sump)

[Billybeau1]

I'm not fond of Purple up as there are much cheaper, more reliable supplements to keep your tank in order.

You will need to test for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium and post your results for us to recommend a supplement scheme for your tank. :)

[geronimofish]

When can you start using purple up on a new tank? I purchased live rock with purple algea and my lfs said I need to add purple up to maintain the algea. 60 gal tank its been on line 3 days. I purchased 40 lbs of live sand and I purchased the live rock from an extablished tank.

[bertoni]

[welcome]

Purple Up is based in part on finely-ground aragonite, which isn't a good calcium or alkalinity supplement:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

To keep coralline algae going, most tanks require calcium and alkalinity supplementation. This article should help:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

[Billybeau1]

[welcome]

You do not need purple up to keep your macroalgae growing. You only need to keep your calcium, alkalinity and magnesium within the proper range and it will grow just fine.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

[Billybeau1]

Oops, Hi Jonathan :wavehand:

[T Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10746383#post10746383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geronimofish
my lfs said I need to add purple up to maintain the algea.

Next time you see that LFS employee, turn around and run as fast as you can.........coralline algae will fare just fine without any "snake oil" suppliments. Welcome to Reef Central!!! TinMan

[Trnman32]

Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Dyer, Indiana
Occupation: Locomotive Electrician
Posts: 5482




To Reef Central

any questions you have about chemistry in your tank you have came to the right place.Jonathan and Billy will always try to help

[Trnman32]

sorry about copying your info Billy

[Billybeau1]

No problem Trn. its public information. If I didn't want anyone to see it, I wouldn't have put it there.

And thanks, We do are best to help. I personally enjoy sharing Randy's knowledge. He did all of the hard work. I just know where to find it. :D

[tizzy]

I've been using P-U for months w/little growth and a high nitrate level. I recently heard it contains heavy sugars that can drive up nitrates so I just switched to Kent Liquid Reactor (1-step!), we'll see.

[bertoni]

Kent Liquid Reactor is finely-ground aragonite, so I don't think it's going to be very effective in practice:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

[tizzy]

haven't noticed a change as of yet, more time perhaps.

Has anyone toyed with using oyster shell calcium tablets/powder as a supplement? Seems this marine-based source would pass the common sense test.

[bertoni]

Oyster shells are calcium carbonate, and aren't as soluble as aragonite.

[Boomer]

Jon, Aragonite is calcium carbonate. OS are made of its polymorph mineral Calcite. Usually Aragonite has a greater affinity for picking up Sr++ and Calcite's greater affinity is for Mg ++. Aragonite precip growths in seawater are not affect by Mg++levels, where as Calcite is affected by Mg++ levels. And do to its morphic form Aragonite is more soluble than Calcite.

[bertoni]

Yes, I remembered that, a bit too late, though. I'll write it off to a sore throat.

[Boomer]

:thumbsup:

[IPT]

I use the seachem stuff. I think it is a Polygluconate form of Ca. If I recall correctly it does have some sugar which makes this sort of CA better for Coralline than it is say SPS. Not sure exactly, but it's something along those lines. Maybe someone with more knowledge could clarify that. Maybe I too am mis-informed.

[Boomer]

That is what they claim but most of us don't like adding sugar to he tank ;) It is not really directed toward either coralline or corals. It is more to any life form that uses Ca++ as part of the "skeleton"

[rwbogard]

[violation]

[Boomer]

That stuff is about the same as any two-part, such as B-Ionic, C- Balance, Tech CB, Randy's DIY two-part or any others.