Purple up???
- Thread starter marinelover
- Start date
KMP
Active Member
That'd be me. I did another water change last night and siphoned the SB. I will be testing the Alk tonight an will post the results.
I don't think it's a bad product, you just have to understand how that interacts with other additives you may be adding and follow the directions. In this case, I created the problem...not Purple Up.
The1poolman
New Member
as I understand it it is basically liguid phosphates. Not a good way to go. But this is only what I have been told I have not ever seen the stuff, just heard input on this before. Nothing can beat good ole fashioned correct chemistry. There are no short cuts in the reef.
Good luck. Let us know if you do use it how it works for you, what it is made up of, ect.
The1poolman
Good luck. Let us know if you do use it how it works for you, what it is made up of, ect.
The1poolman
morbius18
Member
I haven't had a problem with phosphates or nitrites or nitrates when using purple up.
It is only just a combination of aragomilk with some ionic Ca, and buffer as boomer said, not phosphates or nitrates or any organic proteins. For the most part it is a 2 part additive in one.
I put a double does (for 100 gallons) in 4 gallons of RO water and tested for phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and ammonia, all which came out to 0. I didn't test calcium or alkalinity, but I probably should repeat the experiment and test again.
It is only just a combination of aragomilk with some ionic Ca, and buffer as boomer said, not phosphates or nitrates or any organic proteins. For the most part it is a 2 part additive in one.
I put a double does (for 100 gallons) in 4 gallons of RO water and tested for phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and ammonia, all which came out to 0. I didn't test calcium or alkalinity, but I probably should repeat the experiment and test again.
MarbleShark
Active Member
I went to http://www.lifeoceanic.com and they had a tank set up that they put Purple Up in. The tank looked awesome. It had greek ruins in it and the combination of the lighting, with the purple, and the ruins is actually one of the things that pushed me over the edge into finally getting a tank.
I have not put it in my tank as of yet because I have used the money I have had for essentials at this point, but am considering it one of the next things I purchase since it is not that expensive.
I have not put it in my tank as of yet because I have used the money I have had for essentials at this point, but am considering it one of the next things I purchase since it is not that expensive.
morbius18
Member
I suppose it depends upon how many calcium needing organisms that you have. I have a heavy LPS/Clam tank and have a large calcium draw. I drip kalk continuously, about 2 gallons a day and purple up 2 times a week and maintain calcium from 400-450 and alk at 9-10 dKh.
Again, every tank will be different, in some people's tank, this would drive the calcium through the roof, and in others, it isn't enough, hence calcium reactors. My tank is a continuously evolving science project...
Again, every tank will be different, in some people's tank, this would drive the calcium through the roof, and in others, it isn't enough, hence calcium reactors. My tank is a continuously evolving science project...
morbius18
Member
Update on the tests on Purple up. I mixed up some RO water in a 5 gallon bucket and mixed the appropriate amount of purple up (1 ml per 5 gallons) and put a powerhead and let it circulate for about an hour or so.
I then tested the phosphate, and it tested at .5 mg/L!!! I quickly tested my makeup water and came up with a result of 0, so this batch of purple up definately has phosphates in it.
I don't know if I made a mistake on my previous test of the substance, or if there is a variance between different containers of the stuff.
My LFS ended up testing the same scenario on my bottle and came up with .25-.5 mg/l (less precise test kit).
I definately will not be using the purple up any longer....
I then tested the phosphate, and it tested at .5 mg/L!!! I quickly tested my makeup water and came up with a result of 0, so this batch of purple up definately has phosphates in it.
I don't know if I made a mistake on my previous test of the substance, or if there is a variance between different containers of the stuff.
My LFS ended up testing the same scenario on my bottle and came up with .25-.5 mg/l (less precise test kit).
I definately will not be using the purple up any longer....
MarbleShark
Active Member
morbius18 said:
Ok I am new to this.. is that not an acceptable level? Is that tolerable or really bad? Could you use it to get the purple kick started and then stop?
One side effect of using products containing solid CaCO3 particles is that it can purify your water as the fresh CaCO3 surface can bind dissolved organic matter and phosphates (but also "good stuff" like magnesium).
It is generally accepted that elevated phosphate (even lower than many hobbyist kits can measure) hampers coralline algae growth and calcification in general so at least in theory these kind of products can help in an indirect way.
Just my 2 cents
It is generally accepted that elevated phosphate (even lower than many hobbyist kits can measure) hampers coralline algae growth and calcification in general so at least in theory these kind of products can help in an indirect way.
Just my 2 cents
MarbleShark
Active Member
Those of you that have used this product and had results.....
How long did it take for you to see the results of it?
How long did it take for you to see the results of it?
Well the reason i'm in this thread in the first place is because i lost patients with the BB not growing coraline fast enough and am trying the purple up. I see it growing on the bottom already and all my levels are staying steady. Im into my second week with it.