Why my rocks are not all purple?

W

wachuko

New member
I see a few tanks with LR and they are all with this nice deep purple color... my tank has been setup since October 1st... I keep checking all levels to make sure everything is ok... sea life is doing all well...

Is it just a matter of waiting? From the start, how long before I see everything purple... only reason I ask is because I was told that it was a good sign when it happen...

Here are a few recent photos:

a1_copy1.jpg


a2_copy1.jpg


a3_copy1.jpg


a4_copy1.jpg


a5.jpg
 
I agree with all. The growth is coming...it's already started, but it takes time. Keep your CA levels good...400-420ish and you'll get there.

There is also a product on the market called Purple Up. It's suppose to "speed up" coraline growth. Some people have used it and have stated good results. Some people have used it and said that they seen no difference. It will "buffer" some of your parameters though from what I remembered reading...I think CA and possibly mag...I'm not sure on the mag.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11614516#post11614516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
looks like it's starting. I'd stay with it. Where's your calcium???
Click to expand...

Calcium at 440 ppm


Thank you all for your response! :) Will wait then.

Also got the itch for a bigger tank... so researching a 220 and reading a lot in the Large Reef Tanks section of this site. :eek1:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11614725#post11614725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wachuko
Calcium at 440 ppm


Thank you all for your response! :) Will wait then.

Also got the itch for a bigger tank... so researching a 220 and reading a lot in the Large Reef Tanks section of this site. :eek1:
Click to expand...

We ALL HAVE THAT ITCH!!!!!!!!
 
It's coralline algae. It takes time.
I haven't used purple-up but I've heard the opposite and heard it's not worth it.

I pretty much echo everything said already - it's starting. It took me a good 7 months before I got any decent coralline growth on my rock and glass...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11614590#post11614590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dileggi
I agree with all. The growth is coming...it's already started, but it takes time. Keep your CA levels good...400-420ish and you'll get there.

There is also a product on the market called Purple Up. It's suppose to "speed up" coraline growth. Some people have used it and have stated good results. Some people have used it and said that they seen no difference. It will "buffer" some of your parameters though from what I remembered reading...I think CA and possibly mag...I'm not sure on the mag.
Click to expand...

it also doses iodine,


wachuko, I'd suggest checking your iodine levels or just picking up a small bottle of purple up.

according to my bottle
"Purple Up also replenishes iodine, an essential element for coralline algae tissues that quickly becomes depleted in closed systems...*High dissoled phosphate levels inhibit the growth of coralline algae...Carbonate Hardness levels should be maintained at 2-2.5 or higher"
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11615053#post11615053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef of Eden
it also doses iodine,


wachuko, I'd suggest checking your iodine levels or just picking up a small bottle of purple up.

according to my bottle
"Purple Up also replenishes iodine, an essential element for coralline algae tissues that quickly becomes depleted in closed systems...*High dissoled phosphate levels inhibit the growth of coralline algae...Carbonate Hardness levels should be maintained at 2-2.5 or higher"
Click to expand...

Will do, thank you!

I will run a complete set of tests... last time I checked the Carbonate Hardness (KH) was at 143.2 ppm

I will stop by the LFS after work...
 
Over time, coralline kinda grows on you. ;)

I'd wouldn't worry at all and let nature take it's course. Purple-up, iodine and whatever "miracle stuff" you add will not have much, if any, effect. As long as you have sufficient Ca levels, as you do, the coralline will cover the rock completely in another few months.
 
In a year or so you will wish you never had coraline as scrapping it off the glass and other equipment gets to be a PITA. So let it take its time..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11615398#post11615398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Trotter
Patience :)
Click to expand...

I will try to have it....:lol:

Just did a check on all parameters:

pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0.0
Salinity - 1.026 (refractometer)
Nitrate - less than 10 with Instant Ocean test kit and 20 with the API kit :confused:
Nitrite - 0.0
Calcium - 440 ppm
Carbonate Hardness (KH) - 179 ppm
Alkalinity - 175 ppm
Phosphate - 0.0
Temp - 78F
 
Regular water changes using good salt will supply what you need for proper coralline growth..

Check your Mg levels...this was the problem i had..its commonly overlooked and isnt commonly included in the "reef test kit" packages..you dont want to add Mg, or any sup. for that matter, without testing first. salifert makes a good test kit IMO...keep param. steady and make sure you have good flow..

As stated above, it really does come with time...some species such as P. conicum and H. boergesenni dont show up till the tank is well aged..

Some require high light and some require moderate..i had more Mesophyllum sp. (spelling?) in my fuge than i did in the rest of the tank..My tank is lit w/ two 250w 14k halides and the fuge has two 25w 10k T5's!

You can try going to your LFS and ask them if they will scrape some off their tanks and collect the water for you...this can be used to seed the tank..you can also buy a CURED rock with coralline on it and scrape some off with a razor blade in your tank....try to get different types..look up the species and determine your placement from there...once you get it growing youll notice youll have to add alot more Ca to keep levels steady..

FWIW When it grew on the back of my tank, i noticed i saw new patches on the rock 3-4 days after scraping it off...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11622671#post11622671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wachuko
I will try to have it....:lol:

Just did a check on all parameters:

pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0.0
Salinity - 1.026 (refractometer)
Nitrate - less than 10 with Instant Ocean test kit and 20 with the API kit :confused:
Nitrite - 0.0
Calcium - 440 ppm
Carbonate Hardness (KH) - 179 ppm
Alkalinity - 175 ppm
Phosphate - 0.0
Temp - 78F
Click to expand...

Looks like you're on the right path. Just keep doing what you're doing and good luck!
 
From all I have read I would suggest avoiding purple up in your DT. I plan to QT my rock and dose PU in the QT.

IIRC purple up can skew your pH readings(?) months down the line.

I started my tank in September, seeing similar growth to yours & not having to scrape CA from the glass yet.
 
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