Purple Helix: Coralline Algae In A Bottle

ARC Reef sent us a couple of bottles of their new product Purple helix Coralline Algea in a Bottle, to do a honest review and let fellow hobbiest know what we thought of their laboratory developed live algae spores that contain 6 different species of Coralline Algae. Above you will see a youtube video that we uploaded showing how we applied the product.  Every couple of weeks we will be doing a new video on how ARC Reefs new product works.

CORALLINE ALGAE IN A BOTTLE VS OTHER "PURPLE ALGAE ACCELERATORS"

Purple Helix, Coralline Algae in a Bottle is the ONLY product developed in a laboratory that contains actual live algae spores.  Other similar products are simply a mixture of calcium and magnesium, both of which are already contained in all salt mixes and a rarely ever lacking in a newly setup aquarium.  If your aquarium isn't stocked up yet with corals and coralline algae then there is nothing drawing calcium and magnesium from the water yet.  If your levels are not low then using these "purple algae accelerators" provide absolutely nothing and we implore you not to fall for the marketing hype.  Coralline Algae is a calcareous algae so it does utilize both magnesium and calcium in its structure and would not be able to reproduce without them.  Once your aquarium is stocked with corals then you should start dosing with 2 part or kalkwasser.  We recommend the 2 part calcium and alkalinity kit from BRS.  It provides a more complete and controllable system than purple up or purple tech and is far less expensive over the long run.

When you receive a bottle of purple helix you will receive a letter that has instructions for use.

Purple Helix- Coralline Algae in a Bottle

Thank You ARC Reefs for providing us with the bottle of purple helix to do videos on!!

Be sure to subscribe for updates every couple of weeks on this amazing product!!

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEST RESULTS

Purple Helix, Coralline Algae in a bottle is a LIVE product that is bottled on the day it was shipped. Please make sure to use entire contents within 14 days from the bottling date on the label, bottle can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated but DO NOT FREEZE. Freezing point of contents is 28.4 F.

TANK REQUIREMENTS FOR OPTIMAL GROWTH:

Temperature:   Between 78-81 degrees. It is important that the temperature remains as stable as possible.

Salinity:    1.026 (Must remain stable)

PH:    Keep a stable pH level between 8.1-8.3 (always test the same time of day each day)

Alkalinity:     Keep a stable KA level of 2.8 meq/L for alkalinity or carbonate hardness (the concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate) Your level can be +/- up to 0.14 meq/L. Having a correct KA level in your tank has a stabilizing effect on you pH.

Calcium:    above 420mg/L

Ammonia:    As close to 0 ppm as possible

Phosphates:    under 0.25 ppm

Nitrates:     under 5 ppm

Lighting:    Lighting is key. the intensity, or "PAR" level, of your lighting shouldn't be too high and the duration of your photo period should be somewhat close to the natural duration of the sun. your aquarium shouldn't receive full intensity or "noon" lighting for 8 hours because that is natural and it will bleach out corals and the coralline will not grow. Coralline Algae LOVE Actinic and blue spectrum lighting. In the beginning we advise to lengthen the time that our actinic lighting stays on by an additional 1-2 hours daily.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Turn off filter, protein skimmer, and UV sterilizer if equipped. Leave powerheads on.

2. Shake bottle, as algae spores will start to adhere to the inner walls of the bottle after several days.

3. Pour entire contents of bottle into marine aquarium.

4.  Refill bottle with aquarium water then repeat steps 2 & 3, (we recommend doing this twice)

5. Wait at least 60 minutes before turning all equipment back on

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BEFORE MY ROCKS TURN PURPLE??

Coralline Algae is a slow but steady grower. YOU WILL NOT SEE GROWTH OVERNIGHT! If all your tank parameters are in check then you will see what looks like small chickenpox on your rocks and on plastics like powerheads within 4-6 weeks CARALLINE SPORES WILL NOT GROW IN POOR WATER QUALITY.  If you have high ammonia, nitrites or have other parameters that are off then the algae spores will remain in a dormant state until the levels are corrected and then it will be 2-6 weeks after that when you will first see your chickenpox.  After this stage you will notice these small spots double in size each culture more color variations and more complex strains with accelerated growth rates.  Every bottle contains a minimum of 6 separate species of coralline. Each species has a different affinity to lighting conditions and that is how we can insure that no matter what intensity lighting your tank has, there will be a species included that is well suited for your tank. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO HAVE AN URCHIN TH THE SAME TANK. SEA URCHINS MAIN DIET CONSISTS OF CORALLINE ALGAE!!

 PRO TIPS FOR FAST GROWTH!!!

 Raise your temperature. Coralline Algae grows very slowly, but its growth rate is approximately 10x's more rapid in tropical waters then in the Arctic. If your tanks temperature is below 76 F. try increasing the temperature to 78-81 F. this will increase the reproductive growth rate by nearly 15%

Aquatic Life Loves Stability and so Does Coralline Algae. Try to keep your water parameters stable through regular monitoring and water testing. Smaller more frequent water changes a re preferred over larger less often water changes, this helps eliminate any shock to your system.

More Frequent Water Changes.   you should be doing  regular water changes at least twice monthly. Nearly every problem can be fixed with a water change.  High Nitrates? Water Change!! Cloudy Water?? Water Change!! Nuisance Algae?? Water Change!! Got Ick?? Water Change!!  Corals Shriveling up?? Water Change!!  Spending all your money on Corals? Ok, well that one a water change cant fix but for nearly everything else, a partial water change will fix, or at least give you more time to find the problem. Your aquarium is a closed system and can easily be put off balance!!

Have Patience.  If you're new to the hobby this tip will save your hard earned cash from being flushed down the drain. Only bad things happen overnight in this hobby. Add livestock slowly and never change anything quickly. Its best to think of your aquarium like a very old man, it doesn't adapt well to change (and at times can smell like and old sock).

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Thanks for reading!!