Calcium Supplements?

[xxmurrxx]

I recently started up my first saltwater tank.
Aprox 2 weeks into the cycle, my live rock is fading from purple Coraline color to white.

I read up a bit and some causes could be the protein skimmer which I had running non stop since day 1.

At the local pet store I noticed calcium supplements saying they help promote Coraline algae growth? Would this help me or are the products a quick money grab?

Would a mix of supplement product be just as effective as a pure calcium one? Also good brands? (They had SeaChem and one other brand locally)

Also any information on how to test calcium levels would be good, I have not seen any test kits at my LFS.

Thanks.

[bertoni]

The coralline might be having problems with the water quality. It's fairly common for coralline to fade while the decay is occurring. You could test the calcium and alkalinity levels, but I suspect they're acceptable. Coralline (and stony corals) consume alkalinity and calcium to form their skeletons, so both would need to be dosed. This article might help:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php