Purple-Up question

[kasper001]

I have been adding purple-up for a week now and I am wondering does it matter whether I add it to the tank at night after the lights go out or if I should add it during the day? I can't find out anywhere if it matters if the lights should be on when you add it. I just do it at night because it temporarily clouds the water for a little bit. I would like to hear other people's input on this.

Thanks,
Kasper

 

[Bruce Wayne]

i dont think it matters all purple up does is add CA and other elements to get your coralline algae growing

 

[Michael]

my opinion is not to add it anytime, no need, its just adding in chems you dont need, get some corraline scrappings from a friend or buy a piece of live rock to start your self off, it wont take long under the right conditions to grow, as for adding chems, add a 2 part or baking soda or kalkwasser once youve done some research (the chemistry forum is a great place to start) you will know what to add and what not to add to the water system

 

[turretdr]

Question: What time to add Purple Up, lights on or off?
Answer: Never, Purple Up is an extremely overpriced method of boosting CA. If you aren't testing for everything in the bottle, why are you dosing it?

 

[abulgin]

+1 ^^ It's also loaded with Iodine, which really never needs to be added or, if so, in very small amounts.

Most "experts" recommend against using Purple Up because you don't know exactly what you're putting into your tank, or how much. You'll get good coralline growth if you maintain calcium, alkalinity, magnesium and water quality . . . oh yeah, and patience.

 

[mg426]

PURPLE UP IS A WORTHLESS WASTE OF $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Percula9]

Purple up is fine aragonite sand which can't dissolve at seawater pH. A huge waste of money.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Time of day or lights on / off won't matter. Tagging along with the many posts above, some good 2 part solution or kalkwasser to maintain strong Ca/Alk/Mg parameters is what you're looking for if you want the tank to "purple up."

In a tank with solid flow, low nutrient levels, strong Ca/Alk/Mg parameters, and some coraline "seed" installed, it still takes a few months for coraline to really take off.

And once it does start, it tends to explode in growth -- and you're back to balancing parameters again and working out your glass scraper all the time.

 

[sohal1025]

I would have to agree with all comments...I have used it when I started my system(not knowing much either) and did not notice any difference...

 

[Tswifty]

If you want coraline algae... keep an eye on your Magnesium. Since maintaining my Mag above 1400ppm, coraline has blown through my tank at an alarming rate. Magnesium in my experience, has been the largest factor that I have been able to relate directly back to coraline growth.

 

[Tswifty]

February 15, 2009

February 25, 2009

March 5, 2009

April 13, 2009

 

[abulgin]

You could buy a house with the money you've got in that tank!

 

[fishox]

So Tswifty, what are you doing to get your Mg above 1400? I dose BIonic two part and I add ESB Mg and seem to never be able to get above 1100. I use a Salifert Mg test kit.

 

[kasper001]

Ok. It's a good thing I didn't have to pay for it then. I will stop using it and just regular calcium to keep the levels in place. Thanks alot for all your advice.

 

[abulgin]

In addition to calcium, you need to maintain alkaliniy and magnesium. I recommend ESV B-Ionic 2-part for calcium/alk and Brightwell Aquatics Megnesion-P

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14819469#post14819469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishox
So Tswifty, what are you doing to get your Mg above 1400? I dose BIonic two part and I add ESB Mg and seem to never be able to get above 1100. I use a Salifert Mg test kit.

I usually use Kent Tech M, but have been using DT's Pure Reef Elements Magnesium lately. Salifert test kit as well.

I also blend 2 different brands of salt to get a "better balanced" water chemisty closer to that of my system, which includes an elevated Mag level.

Then to maintain it, I dose the Mag supplement once a week.

 

[loosecannon]

It dose not mater when you add it, because it dose not work!