Help Please Calcium Problem

[Pazzoman]

Hey Everybody,

Well I've been fighting for purple for the past year in a half....no luck.

I finally purchased a calcium test kit and it took me 28 drops to reach the final end blue color if anyone know which kit this is. It measures 560mp.....Is that to high for purple also my PH is at 7.8 and good addictives to increase it?

Thanks

 

[nonstophoops]

Hey Everybody,

Well I've been fighting for purple for the past year in a half....no luck.

I finally purchased a calcium test kit and it took me 28 drops to reach the final end blue color if anyone know which kit this is. It measures 560mp.....Is that to high for purple also my PH is at 7.8 and good addictives to increase it?

Thanks

Did you seed the tank with some good covered in "purple" live rock? Just want to make sure you understand that coralline has to be brought into a system and doesn't appear like nuisance algaes.

There is a lot more to water chemistry that makes coralline grow than just calcium(560 is too high). Magnesium, Strontium, Nitrates, and Phosphates(big one here) among others all contribute. Your tank water needs a proper balance of these elements in order for coralline to thrive.

Your ph is definitely low. Best way to bring that up some is to add more flow and aeration. Putting an airstone in your sump and buying some powerheads to really disturb the surface will help bring that up to where it should be(8.1-8.4).

I would go purchase a piece or two of quality live rock that has multiple corallines growing on it(purple, red, pink, etc.). When adding this rock to the tank, scrap it over the tank with a knife or something else to cause the spores to spread all over.

I would also get on a solid water change schedule. Do a 20 percent water change every 2 weeks and the salt mixture you use will supply plenty of elements for the coralline to grow. It also will take out the things that prevent coralline from growing like nitrates and phosphates.

 

[Pazzoman]

Hey thanks for the reply,

Is use regular instant ocean salt, should I be using the "Reef" brand?

I don't have a sump sadly, fx5 but I will be purchasing another korialla soon.
Also I probably need to buy test kits for those too lol