Purple Up ??

[Semo]

My calcium in my 12g refuses to rise above 300. I visited the lfs for some additive and they recommended purple up.

Anyone have any opinions about this stuff?

 

[Doriginal]

Hi, I also have a 12g nano. I heard nothing but good things about purple up. It is made to accelerate calcium levels in the tank and accelerate coralline algae growth. I purchased this chemical when I bought my tank but since my calcium is 400 I havent used it yet. Iam new to reef tanks so definatley check with someone more experienced b4 you add anything.
But from what you say It sounds like purple up would help rise the calcium level. Either that or a calcium/alkalinity buffer.

 

[sadielynn]

I use it with caution only dosing a very little bit 1x a week
as it is a more stable form of calcium but you still need to test calcium and alk :mrgreen:

 

[reefman23]

Have you tested your alkalinity and pH?

jesse

 

[Semo]

Yeah...I test quite regularly (too much to be honest)and everything is fine except calcium...just a little low. I dose with the kent A-B nano but it just doesn't do the trick. I have got a lot of new corraline growth that seems to have came up in the last week on my powerhead. I guess its possible thats where the calcium may be going. I may try mixing my water with reef crystals instead of regular instant ocean salt...its claims to have more calcium in that mix..

7.7 dKH
2.74 meq/L
270 calcium
8.55 ph...I tested just as lights cut off for the night..

 

[skipm]

The two part additives like Kents AB, ESVs Bionic, etc. are designed to maintain calcium levels and not to raise them. You need to use a product designed to raise calcium levels or drip kalkwasser to get the level up and then the 2 part additive should maintain the level for you. BTW, Kalkwasser drips should only be used in a nano with extreme caution or you could raise your pH too high.