AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae

RHunter,

If per chance your pest is indeed a cyanobacteria, then reducing your nitrate and phosphate to zero, or as close to possible, will not have much effect on it. The cyano can derive their food source directly from foods and other organic material in the water column. It would be impossible to eradicate it in this manor.

If it is a cyanobacteria and the AlgaeFix does not give the results you like, then perhaps trying Chemi-Clean by Boyd may be another option. :)
 
I guess I need to better ID the algae then. How do i go about doing that. Or just treat the tank with the chemi-clean anyways? What are the side effects to chemi-clean?
 
I would not treat your tank with both at one time. They are both oxidizers from my understanding.

At least we know what is in AlgaeFix for the most part. I have no idea what is in Chemi-Clean. When I have no idea what is in a product I rank it with the old-time concoctions that the exterminators used to mix-up themselves which were referred to as "Snake Oils". ;)

I have read threads where they claim that it has worked on cyanobacteria. Many also claim that it comes back similar to the claims made about Erythromycin.
 
On second thought, I am going to stick with it being hair algae and continue with my plan. In the past the HA has responded to decreasing the phos and nitrate levels. When I was doing huge 100% bi-weekly water changes the HA started to die but quickly grew back when I quit with the huge water changes...that got expensive and was way too much work.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14953963#post14953963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
Bruno,

I agree with Sana. As the AlgaeFix kills the algae, the algae will start to brake down and release nitrate and phosphate back into the water. The best thing you can do to reduce this effect is to physically remove as much of the algae as possible. Hand extraction and siphoning work well. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm also thinking that with the algae, which is a voracious consumer of nitrates and phosphates, now gone for the most part, I would expect nitrates and phosphates to accumulate at a more rapid pace than previously.

In order to keep accumulation of these compounds from becoming problematic, an alternate plan for the export of NO3 and PO4 should be considered.

Just some random thoughts.
 
RHunter,

I would stick with the AlgaeFix myself. I have what I believe is a blue-green cyano and the algafix is controlling it well, as long as I physically remove as much as possible. :)

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Bruno,

Good point. I agree. ;)
 
I'm looking into picking some AlgaeFix up tonight to help my GHA problem. Will keep everyone posted. Any tips? How does it effect pods?
 
Boomer,

I am still confused, but I will continue working on it. I see from the description and color what you are talking about. The worst part is all the distinguishing characteristics of these pests are at a very close magnification, if not a microscopic level. :lol:

This is a Cladophora (A True Green Algae):
cladophora.jpg


Thanks. :)
 
Yes, but there are 25 speices of marine cladophora :) And often, like other marine plants of the same Genus, they do not look the same. And yes one really needs a mico to be sure :)
 
7th dose on tuesday and today is my 8th, this is going to be my last dose, looks like the algae is almost gone and i am going to stop dosing, i noticed my colors on corals a bit bland, maybe is because there is no PO4 in the water, who knows, i am very happy with the results and i am going change my GFO, carbon, hope this pest doesnt come back....any updates guys on your tanks

sana
 
When I upgraded from my 90 to my 125, I had a hair algae explosion but after a few weeks of regular dosing, it's gone. Now I'm fighting the cyano battle that follows...

This product works really well IMO but I could really do without the cyano side effects.
 
sana,

Good to hear your results. Hopefully your pest does not come back. :thumbsup:

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pIankton,

I'm happy the AlgaeFix worked on your algae pest. :)

Personally, I don't see cyano as a side effect of using AlgaeFix. Instead I see the situation as the cyano was always there, but the algae pest was able to out compete the cyano given the conditions. I see pictures of cyano mixed with algae quite frequently throughout the Internet. Once your algae was eradicated/controlled, then the conditions were right for the cyano to take over at that point.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that AlgaeFix works very well on the red cyano. I have what I believe is a blue-green cyano and the AlgaeFix works well on it.

This current thread goes into more detail regarding problems in trying to control cyanobacteria. ;)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1633411
 
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I just applied my first dose of this product. I have an algae that is not a major problem. It is simply hard to get rid of. I have had Dictyota in my tank for awhile now and I hope this helps knock it out. This algae seems to do well in very low nutrient systems.
 
I just started dosing Algaefix 4 days ago in hopes of getting rid of my HA problem. I just switched over to T5's and the HA I had EXPLODED! So now i'm pulling out probably 16oz of algae every other week. Hoping this fixes it.
I'll be making a GFO reactor and adding Mg++ to the treatments to quell this abomination all the faster.
 
bshumake,

Great to have you sharing your experience with us. ;)

What wavelength bulbs are you using?

I would recommend removing as much algae as possible by hand and siphoning before you dose. If this stuff is overwhelming, perhaps attacking one section at a time may make more sense. ;)

Pictures are always nice to see what is going on in your tank.
 
I haven't taken pics yet simply because it kills me to see it like this. But, in the name of science, i will do so.
I'm using a mixture of ATI bulbs (blue plus, actinic white, blue...blue, bah; lots of blue) but the one that really kicked the algae in overdrive is a GE 6500. I proclaim them the Spawn of the Almighty Unholy One! I swear, within one week of turning that puppy on I got my but handed to me on a paper plate.
Initially, I had some with my MH's but nothing like I have now.
I dosed Vodka for a bit with stinky and faded coral results so I stopped and began searching for alternative methods. Then I found your post (praise Alah) and saw the light. I must admit, I've shortened the dosing time. I dosed 2 days after the first and dosed again 24hours later. No ill effects to report on this, but I don't plan on dosing again for 3 days. I was hoping to see results sooner and fell into the "a little more will only help" catagory.
So, the long and short of it is: I will get pics; 6500=EVIL; pruning HA like a mad dog.
B "Why no dear, I didn't know carpeting could hold that much water." S
 
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