Reef Crystals for live rock?

[bop778]

I have a 55 gallon tank with about 65# of live rock in it. My question is that I have been having trouble with brown diatoms and some of the pink and purple corraline algae is turning white. I have 260 watts of 10,000k pc lights,a Skimmer for 100g and I use a RO filter for topoff as well as water changes. Right now i use instant ocean salt mix, should i be using reef crystals instead of this? I would rather use a reef salt instead of supplementing for calc and the like, i like the natural approach. I also have an assortment of hermit crabs, snails, a peppermint shrimp,yellow tang, and a common clown hosted by a LTA. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
PH-8.3
Am-0
Ni-0
Na-0
Temp-79-80F

 

[blazehok68]

i use instant ocean all the time. in fact, its the only salt ive ever used. ive heard of people having problems with their tanks after switching salts. i dont know. as for your corraline changing to white, ive also heard that this is b/c of calcium levels being too low. just a thought.

 

[bop778]

do you supplement your tank with anything or is the Instant Ocean good enough? Also what exactly is the right level of calcium, and could u recommend a good test for calcium, the one i have is very hard to decipher colors.

 

[wilsonreef]

350-450 is a good reading for calc. It's true, if your Coraline is turning white your calcium level is being depleted.

 

[fallnhorse]

coralline algae needs low nitrate level. Diatoms need higher to prosper. Sounds like your tank is young still. Also consider purple up. Its amazing.

 

[teaggs]

Originally Posted by fallnhorse
coralline algae needs low nitrate level. Diatoms need higher to prosper. Sounds like your tank is young still. Also consider purple up. Its amazing.
what is this purple up deal? where can I get the details and possibly buy it

 

[reefrobert]

It turn you live rock purple. I herd it raises your calcuim levels which in turn, turns every thing purple.

 

[teaggs]

Originally Posted by ReefRobert
It turn you live rock purple. I herd it raises your calcuim levels which in turn, turns every thing purple.
High calcium levels can hurt your fish, right?