Purple Up

Jsn · 07/10/2008, 12:34 PM

Has anyone used it? And does it work?

JamesJR · 07/10/2008, 01:08 PM

It is a suspension of powdered Aragonite sand mixed with some potassium iodide. Their claim is that it will break down as needed to raise calcium and bicarbonate levels to keep them more or less at natural seawater leves.

This is wishful thinking for the most part. This is because this is not a fast process at all and you really won't get it to dissolve to a great enough extent to keep your calcium and alkalinity levels at what you need. My advice would be to use another method of supplementation.

I would suggest a 2 part additive system like B-ionic or something like that.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 07/10/2008, 01:10 PM

The main ingredient in it is wasted as the fine aragonite does not dissolve in seawater unless the pH is very low. The same applies to any other product containing it (Kent Liquid Reactor, Aragamight, etc).

The other ingredients in it may be useful (or not), but you do not know how much of what you are getting.

I'd personally avoid it.

If you want good coralline, maintain alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium at appropriate levels, and phosphate and organics at low levels.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 07/10/2008, 01:11 PM

James, you beat me to it.

Nano Chris · 07/10/2008, 07:35 PM

2 part B-ionic is what i use.

Rendos · 07/10/2008, 08:31 PM

I have experimented with Purple Up on a nano tank at my store to see first hand what the effects are. I do not use this as a sole supplement for calcium/alkalinity, but rather in addition to a part A/B supplement. I have to say that thick, rich, coraline algae has grown in that system faster than any other system I have had in the past. I am not a chemist, and my information is purely anecdotal, but I have witnessed far more coraline growth in a shorter time period than without the use of Purple Up.
The second fastest growth I have seen is in systems where I use nothing but Kalk as my sole supplement.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 07/11/2008, 07:12 AM

My expectation is that the most potentially useful thing for coralline in Purple Up is magnesium. Since two parts may or may not contain adequate magnesium, magnesium additions via Purple Up may useful in the context that you mentioned.

If that is true, it may be a lot cheaper and also more controlled to use different magnesium additives where you know how much magnesium is in them.

07/10/2008, 12:34 PM	#1
Jsn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 169	Purple Up Has anyone used it? And does it work?

07/10/2008, 01:08 PM	#2
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	It is a suspension of powdered Aragonite sand mixed with some potassium iodide. Their claim is that it will break down as needed to raise calcium and bicarbonate levels to keep them more or less at natural seawater leves. This is wishful thinking for the most part. This is because this is not a fast process at all and you really won't get it to dissolve to a great enough extent to keep your calcium and alkalinity levels at what you need. My advice would be to use another method of supplementation. I would suggest a 2 part additive system like B-ionic or something like that. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

07/10/2008, 01:10 PM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	The main ingredient in it is wasted as the fine aragonite does not dissolve in seawater unless the pH is very low. The same applies to any other product containing it (Kent Liquid Reactor, Aragamight, etc). The other ingredients in it may be useful (or not), but you do not know how much of what you are getting. I'd personally avoid it. If you want good coralline, maintain alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium at appropriate levels, and phosphate and organics at low levels. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

07/10/2008, 01:11 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	James, you beat me to it. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

07/10/2008, 07:35 PM	#5
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	2 part B-ionic is what i use. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

07/10/2008, 08:31 PM	#6
Rendos Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 5,380	I have experimented with Purple Up on a nano tank at my store to see first hand what the effects are. I do not use this as a sole supplement for calcium/alkalinity, but rather in addition to a part A/B supplement. I have to say that thick, rich, coraline algae has grown in that system faster than any other system I have had in the past. I am not a chemist, and my information is purely anecdotal, but I have witnessed far more coraline growth in a shorter time period than without the use of Purple Up. The second fastest growth I have seen is in systems where I use nothing but Kalk as my sole supplement. __________________ Richard Rendos - Founder WTMRAC It can't rain all the time. Current Tank Info: 92 gallon corner bowfront

07/11/2008, 07:12 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	My expectation is that the most potentially useful thing for coralline in Purple Up is magnesium. Since two parts may or may not contain adequate magnesium, magnesium additions via Purple Up may useful in the context that you mentioned. If that is true, it may be a lot cheaper and also more controlled to use different magnesium additives where you know how much magnesium is in them. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef