purple up enough for calcium?

i have crabs · #1 05-25-2008, 09:15 PM

switching to aragamilk will give you more calcium than purple up with most of the same benifits i believe

ShrimSkin · #2 05-25-2008, 11:58 PM

On the bottle of Purple up I think it tells you to maintain calcium levels to a particlar number which I do not recall. But as stated above you wanna be over 400, I think going with a calcium supplement is a good idea. I just switeched to Tailored Aquatics Calcium and DKH and so far I am very pleased with the results. I do also add Purple Up on the days I dose calcium and its been working real well for coraline and my SPS.

mark · #3 05-26-2008, 12:35 AM

A Ca of 380ppm is on the low side but wouldn't say unacceptable.

NSW

bv_reefer · #4 05-26-2008, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark

A Ca of 380ppm is on the low side but wouldn't say unacceptable.

NSW

i agree 380 is a bit on the lower side i'm slowly bringing it up to the 400's, mark the reason i started thinking about changing is i'm finding that it's hard to get it too the mid 400's without it falling quickly back down to the 380's, is this because of my alkalinity level? (8 dkH )

Myka · #5 05-26-2008, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

i'm finding that it's hard to get it too the mid 400's without it falling quickly back down to the 380's, is this because of my alkalinity level?

It could be because of Alkalinity or Magnesium. Can you tell us your readings for everything that you test for?

bv_reefer · #6 05-26-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

It could be because of Alkalinity or Magnesium. Can you tell us your readings for everything that you test for?

calcium is now 380 and magnesium under 1100 last time i checked

mark · #7 05-26-2008, 04:09 AM

had problem before as well trying to get Ca with low Mg. It goes at about 3:1 ratio.

Myka · #8 05-26-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

calcium is now 380 and magnesium under 1100 last time i checked

Is that all you test for? You don't test pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate, Alkalinity, etc?

Your magnesium should be around 1350. Think of Mg as the fulcrum on a teeter totter. You can't keep alkalinity and calcium up if your magnesium is very low. In your case, it is very low. Try to aim for Calcium 400-430, Alk 8-10, Mg 1350-1400. pH should be 8.0-8.4, and Am, nitrite, nitrate, and phos all 0. Not close to zero, but AT zero.