Testing out DT Pure Elements

[Submariner]

I've decided to give a try to DT's Pure Elements. I've always been a big fan of DT's live phytoplankton so I thought I'd give their supplements a try and record my experience. Had my water tested last night and here are my numbers:

Cal 760ppm
Alk 7.0 dKH
Salinity 1.026
PH 8.1
Amonia 0.0
Nitrates 0.0 mg/l
Nitrites 0.002 mg/l

Wow Purpleup packs a punch, calciums a bit high. Up till now I had dosed Purpleup a capful a week, I will no longer be using it for the duration of this test. I've had great growth on my SPS but colors are only OK. Alk and Ph low so I dosed 100 ml according to calculator on their website and I'll dose 100 ml more tonight. Although I didn't test it I also dosed 50ml magnesium.

Here's some pics from tonight. I'll post more after each biweekly water test.

http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/175%20gal%2011-25-08/

Here's a slideshow if you prefer:

http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/vparziale/175%20gal%2011-25-08/?albumview=slideshow

Pure element are a very reasonably priced alternative to some of the other supplements. So if these do well for me I should also save some money.

[Submariner]

Noticeable improvement in color today.

[Morena_Model]

in one day it made that big of a difference ??


crazy

Gseclipse02

[Submariner]

in one day it made that big of a difference ??


crazy

Gseclipse02

Well yeah, but I corrected PH and Alk so that's kinda to be expected. It's not drastic but I definitely think it will be over the next couple of weeks.

[alasg001]

Great pics from the link in the first post. I am interested in your findings, since I too have found calcium readings to go extreamly high and I was adding Purpleup with other suplements. Be ready for flame post from all the wanna be marine biologist as they may disagree with your results/numbers that come from within your tank or tanks. It amazes me how some people do not understand that each tank is different and results may vary. Good luck with your test and findings.

[Submariner]

Thank you. The only reason I started this thread is because DT Pure Elements is fairly reasonable in comparison to Kent, B-Ionic, and others. And since I thought I'd give it a try I would share my findings and how it did for me with others. I'm certainly not the first person to discover that purpleup is a very cheap way to raise calcium levels. I recently spoke with another Maastard that said when he used purpleup his levels were off the chart! So if you use it, use it very sparingly folks. BTW I decided it would be best if the testing was done by a third party so I took it to Aquarium Design and readings are from them.

[Gseclipse02]

they will check your cal. for free?

[Submariner]

Sorry it cost me $12 for the tests. That is with my MAAST discount.

[Submariner]

Here's some updated pics. I've been using the magnesium and a little of the Alk. Still haven't added any calcium yet, waiting for levels to go down. Though the pictures don't do them justice the corals are growing faster now and colors have improved. I think it's mostly the magnesium. I will test again at AD this weekend.

[wesheltonj]

Any more updates? This product looks a lot like the Fauna Marin Balling salts method.

[Submariner]

Been so dang busy I haven't been able to make it down to have my levels tested. Still getting good growth. Gimme a little time and I'll get new pictures and test results.

[Submariner]

Update on this: I gone back to using Mrs. Wages pickling lime to create a solution for a top off kalk solution. I am however still using the magnesium supplement. I'm very happy with the growth I'm getting and will continue to use it. In case anyone is interested, I'm using a more diluted solution than is usually prescribed online. I lose 5 gals. every 2-3 days so I drip from a 5 gal ozark container using regular clear tubing with a knot to control drip. I mix only 3 tps. into a 5 gal container and I'm very happy with the results now.