CaribSea Purple Up Coralline Algae Accelerator

[CharAznable]

I was wondering if anyone out there had tried the CaribSea Purple Up Coralline Algae Accelerator and if so did it work for you?

[Jareth]

I am still debating on using this. The general consensus I've gotten is that even months after it can effect your pH, so to wait.

[bertoni]

I wouldn't dose it. It contains some elements that can be toxic (iodine and strontium) and calcium carbonate, which is effectively fine sand. A 2-part like B-Ionic to keep the calcium and alkalinity parameters in line should do the job.

[95accord]

im cosidering purchasing some on a order next week. any feedback on the product would definatly be apreciated too.

[JamesJR]

I would agree with Bertoni. I'll add that Calcium carbonate is not really very soluble in water. Relying on the heterogenous equillibria for it to maintain your calcium and alkalinity levels up is pretty ridiculous to me. Go with a 2 part solution. It works instantly and you would have way more control.

[sanababit]

i used it for 4 months and no coralline, as soon as i stopped dosing purple up and started the 2 part, i got lots of growth on corraline and corals, controling alkalinity and calcium with magnesium is better for your tank than dosing that stuff, believe me i tried, waisted 20 dlls, along with a pos skimmer for 120 dlls, iodine supplement wich the lfs said i nedded (another 15 dlls), calcium in a powder (another 22 dlls) i could go on and on.

happy reefing

sana

[seapug]

All of those Carib-Sea bottled goops are junk. Test your Alk. and keep it high with plain baking soda and you'll have coralline growing within a couple weeks of setting up a tank for a fraction of the cost.

[ledford1]

IMO, Purple Up is like sugar for your tank - not really a good thing. Going with a 2-part additive, like bertoni said, is the better way to go.

[uscharalph]

Are you thinking about using purple-up to help with coraline? I wouldn't. I dose calcium and magnesium and I have coraline all over my tank, even on my hermit crab's shells.

[JamesJR]

actually, i'd say sugar could potentially have more use than purple up but that is just me.

[mikey3165]

i have used purple actually and have got good coralline growth from it but that is just my experience. and i actually like the product and would reccomend it

[stingythingy45]

My 55 gallon is a little over 3 months and all I dose is B-Ionic 2 part.I have coralline growing at an incredible rate.If you check out the 2 pictures in my gallery with the Devil's hand leather you will see it.I hope it don't get to the point where I'll have to scrape all the time.

[CharAznable]

So what two part solution would you recommend?

[CharAznable]

Forgot to add for a 150 Gallon tank.

[cowboyswife]

I use Oceans Blend 2 part on our tanks, and it works great. But I dont know what other states it is available in.

[CharAznable]

Also for what it is worth, if I went with the Purple Up I was going to use it in conjunction with the CaribSea AragaMILK because they are supposed to work better together since the AragaMILK acts as a buffer.

[mg426]

You do not need Purple Up at all Period. If you want coraline algae
here is the recipe. Ca+Alk = coraline algae. Just use a good two part, I use randys homemade two part . and have been using it foryears. Works great, cheap and easy to make.

[seapug]

I used AragaMilk for 4 months when I first set up my 90. I ended up with a calcium level of 560 and a dkh of 3. It sucks as a buffer. Use baking soda.

[plyr58]

Use B-Ionic and Magnesium. The combination has resulted in explosive Coraline growth for me to the point where I have to Scape it off the glass twice a week. I swear the magnesium has an effect. The Coraline growth really increased when I started dosing it.

[Jareth]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11130577#post11130577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
Test your Alk. and keep it high with plain baking soda

Whats the rule of thumb for baking soda per gallon?

[seapug]

I think it's something like 1 tsp. of baking soda will raise 25 gallons 2.5 dkh. Look here:

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

[CharAznable]

What levels should I be shooting for?

[bertoni]

This article covers all the water parameters:

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

Alkalinity between 7-11 dKH and calcium between 350 and 450 ppm are the usual targets.

The 2-part products get expensive for large tanks, although the DIY version is more reasonable. Large systems often end up with calcium reactors. :)

This calculator will help with picking doses:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

[CharAznable]

Would a Calcium Reactor help coralline algae growth on its own or would I need to still dose the tank?

[JamesJR]

Calcium reactors are great for maintaining stable calcium and alkalinity levels but are very tricky to adjust so you would want to make larger adjustments to your calcium and alkalinity levels using supplements.

[bertoni]

A calcium reactor could produce enough calcium and alkalinity to avoid needing to dose for those parameters. Dosing magnesium might still be needed, although calcium reactors can use some media to add that, as well.