Dumb question about Calcium Additives

[JeffersonReef]

Ok, this may be a dumb question.... but im new to this so bear with me. I know that a coral reef needs to have calcium, strontium, and magnesium. I planned to dose Kalkwasser, as well as additional suppliments for Calcium, strontium and magnesium. However, I purhcased a bottle of purple-up, which says it adds calcium, strontium, and magnesium. So... couldnt I just use Kalk and purple up? Maybe I am just not understanding correctly. LMK what you think.

FYI... I do plan to keep a few SPS corals. I already have a monti-cap (just got it), so I need to make a decision ASAP. Thanks!

-TJ

 

[glaudds]

There are better ways to supplement for ca/alk than purple up. I would suggest using a two part additive ( like bionic) if you are going to supplemen long term.

If you only have a monti cap, your kalk additions may be enough at this time. You would need to test your water to see if the kalk additions keep up with your demand. If not, you can then incorporate other types of supplementations.

Check out this link.....
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[EmDy]

I suggest you that dont add anything till you test for it.

 

[HenryTran]

don't use purple up, there are many threads where people had problems with this product. i would suggest using the 2 part additive.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297604#post8297604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by glaudds
There are better ways to supplement for ca/alk than purple up. I would suggest using a two part additive ( like bionic) if you are going to supplemen long term.

If you only have a monti cap, your kalk additions may be enough at this time. You would need to test your water to see if the kalk additions keep up with your demand. If not, you can then incorporate other types of supplementations.

Check out this link.....
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Thanks for this link... im reading it now.

-TJ

 

[smoney]

I think that calcium promotes coraline algae, so I wouldn't use the purple up stuff.

 

[JeffersonReef]

After reading that article, and also finding a really easy DIY Kalk Doser, I decided that I will use Kalk, and suppliment with the 2-part additive. I just bought a bottle of purple up, and have used it. So I think I will use Kalk and also finish up the bottle of purple up... then use the 2-part.

Thanks for the advice!

-TJ

 

[Bebo77]

again dont just add to the tank.. test and then dose... as your tank grows your dosing will change....

 

[NALCOMIS]

purple up works, It made my friends tank grow coraline very fast. I agree tho not to use it instead of a 2 part. From my experience with kalkwasser, it made the biggest impact on coral growth so far. I also have a small ca reactor that chips in. The reactor doesnt seem to be working well enough for me tho, I intend to upgrade.

 

[Sk8r]

Remember that basic tests [alkalinity, calcium, ph, salinity, temperature, and magnesium] will be vital to your tank's health. So will a log book recording those test results for future reference, and so you can spot trends. There is no magic-bottle solution for good tank health: it comes of good practices, sustaining the alk and cal levels in a healthy zone, and watching trends, so that you don't overdose. I recommend testing the whole shebang daily for the first 6 months of your tank's life, then easing off in favor of daily observation, as you learn which of your specimens will warn you of a problem.

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8300084#post8300084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Remember that basic tests [alkalinity, calcium, ph, salinity, temperature, and magnesium] will be vital to your tank's health. So will a log book recording those test results for future reference, and so you can spot trends. There is no magic-bottle solution for good tank health: it comes of good practices, sustaining the alk and cal levels in a healthy zone, and watching trends, so that you don't overdose. I recommend testing the whole shebang daily for the first 6 months of your tank's life, then easing off in favor of daily observation, as you learn which of your specimens will warn you of a problem.

That helps alot. I will go pick up a few test kits and start logging. Thanks, everyone.

-Tony

 

[JeffersonReef]

I wish you guys had posted those responses before I took it back! I read that advanced aquarist article... I think I will get another one in a few weeks. Thanks everyone! I guess I kinda jumped the gun... saw a few articles that said they COULD be a problem, and I assumed... (i know... the cardinal sins... assuming and jumpin the gun.)

Thanks again!

-TJ

 

[waterman78]

AntJefferson: I agree with Sk8r and I'm even taking this advice. Test and use a log to pinpoint fluctuations and then make additions to the tank...and do more testing and additive changes if needed...and test again.
As far as using Kalkwasser on a 125 gal w/ 30 gal sump = 155 gallons of sw. My mindset for a tank that size would ultimately be Ca Reactor of some sort of Ca system to help stablize the you're tank calcium demand. Purple-Up adds a lot of Ca, Iodine, Strontium, and Mg. I've tried using it on my 24 gallon and needless to say, it sits on the shelf. I currently using a small dripper to add Kalkwasser to the my tank. Good luck and thanks for the thread. There are no such things as dumb questions...