AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae
- Thread starter HighlandReefer
- Start date
I have not done any WCs since dosing. Just topping off. I have noticed the skimmer filling up twice as much in a shorter time frame.
iFisch
New member
I thought, I read somewhere in this huge thread, that a few people have turned off their skimmers temporarily for just a few hours. I don't know why, or if it increased it's effectiveness, but I thought I'd ask and be sure.
iFisch
New member
I agree with what iFisch has stated.
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Would you agree, 100%, or is there something you do a little different? I have 98% of my "problem", which actually isn't much compared to others, but it is completely under control, and isn't even close to the color "green".
If there's some way, that you do, is more effectively, Cliff, please share.
Cliff - when I get my skimmer (hopefully Friday [from Ca to Fl]), should I skip a dose before it's expected to come? And should I let the skimmer break in a bit before redosing again?
HighlandReefer
Team RC
I clean the tank (including the algae) approximately weekly within a day before I dose the AF. I believe you would get the most out of each dose doing it this way.
I would continue dosing AF as normal after installing your skimmer. Skimming is important when controlling algae.
I would continue dosing AF as normal after installing your skimmer. Skimming is important when controlling algae.
iFisch
New member
I would continue dosing AF as normal after installing your skimmer. Skimming is important when controlling algae.
Right. I just wasn't sure if it was best to let the skimmer "break-in" before dosing again.
Do you turn off your skimmer for a few hours after you dose, and turn it back on a few hours later?
HighlandReefer
Team RC
I don't turn my skimmer off. I can't see why a skimmer would remove AF from the water column, except when tied up in organic matter. I am not positive about this.
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Today is #5 dose and by George I do seem to notice less algae growth on the glass (it is actually squeaky clean when I use my magfloat), the inside of the skimmer is pretty clean, the sump has much less algae, and the display tank is looking better. We aren't out of the woods yet, but I'm doing a WC this weekend and the tank is certainly better than it's been in the last 9 months. I plan on pulling out the PHs and a couple rocks that has the most HA and scrubbing away. Cool. This product actually made a dent in my problem. I'll keep it up and see how it goes from here. Thanks guys.
That actually looks kinda cool.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
chaungo,
Good to hear you are seeing positive results.
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thebanker,
The AF label states that it will work on some cyano. Hopefully you will see improvement. I have a green cyano which the AF seems to control fairly good.
Good to hear you are seeing positive results.
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thebanker,
The AF label states that it will work on some cyano. Hopefully you will see improvement. I have a green cyano which the AF seems to control fairly good.
The algaefix got rid off all the dark green cyano, but left the red, which is a bigger problem. If the red persists and does not subside, i'm going to hit it with the Blue Life treatment.
I don't know what is causing it, but I think I got supplement happy and dosed too much Marine Snow.
I don't know what is causing it, but I think I got supplement happy and dosed too much Marine Snow.
vegaskid11
vegasreefers.com
Hi guys. Just wanted to share my algae fix experience so far. My tank is a 300gallon (500 total) SPS/LPS mix with about 45+ fish. I have clams, inverts and delicated fish like anthias (35 of them) as well. I have lost nothing while using this product except HA.
I started dosing about a 5 weeks ago and I just finished my 11th dose over the weekend. I must say, all of my problem algae has been eliminated. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture prior to starting the AF. Trust me, my tank was on the verge of being overrun with HA. Probably around the 6-7th dose I started to see the HA turn a lighter color. I was able to easily pull it from most rocks while siphoning. At around the 9th dose, the Algae was basically melting away and just gone. As of now, 11th dose I have no algae except this patch right on my overflow that seems to be battling through the algacide pretty well. Im not sure if the high flow from the overflow is helping it survive or what. Its easy enough to pull it by hand. Its strange though why this little patch pursists. Every single location in the tank where I previously had algae is now completely clean.
I have Ulva (Sea Lettuce) macro in my refugium and it has not been affected in the least. It is growing just as it always has. I have also experienced no cyano outbreaks at all. I do have a barebottom tank and high flow so that may have helped prevent cyano.
I have not had algae for about a week now and will likely move to the maintenance dose. This product is amazing. I know that its only a patch and I need to address excess nutrients but this definately makes working on those issues easier as it doesnt leave you staring at the tank wondering why you ever started this hobby.
I started dosing about a 5 weeks ago and I just finished my 11th dose over the weekend. I must say, all of my problem algae has been eliminated. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture prior to starting the AF. Trust me, my tank was on the verge of being overrun with HA. Probably around the 6-7th dose I started to see the HA turn a lighter color. I was able to easily pull it from most rocks while siphoning. At around the 9th dose, the Algae was basically melting away and just gone. As of now, 11th dose I have no algae except this patch right on my overflow that seems to be battling through the algacide pretty well. Im not sure if the high flow from the overflow is helping it survive or what. Its easy enough to pull it by hand. Its strange though why this little patch pursists. Every single location in the tank where I previously had algae is now completely clean.
I have Ulva (Sea Lettuce) macro in my refugium and it has not been affected in the least. It is growing just as it always has. I have also experienced no cyano outbreaks at all. I do have a barebottom tank and high flow so that may have helped prevent cyano.
I have not had algae for about a week now and will likely move to the maintenance dose. This product is amazing. I know that its only a patch and I need to address excess nutrients but this definately makes working on those issues easier as it doesnt leave you staring at the tank wondering why you ever started this hobby.
Paul B
Premium Member
Ifisch, I am also surprised that I don't get more flack with my low (or no tech)
practices. It is not that I have anything against gadgets, I love gadgets, I also don't have anything against chemicals but I have found that nature can fix most problems with very little help from us.
With all of the high tech gadgets and chemicals, reef tanks don't seem to last longer than they did 10 years ago. I guess people quit the hobby before their tanks get old enough to really know weather the high tech does any better than low tech.
As for using a chemical to eliminate algae, I don't know if it works and don't want to use it even if it does. Not because I feel it may do more harm than good but truth is I like algae. Yes I know it's about as low tech as you can get but it has been around for a few years and without it we would not be here. It does make 3/4s of the oxygen on the planet but besides that, algae grows on every healthy reef in the world. It is supposed to grow. We feed our fish and they poop. Water and poop add up to algae.
I believe we should use the benefits of algae to our advantage while keeping the disadvantages of it out of our tanks. How do we do that? :idea:
We make better conditions for it someplace else but use our reef water to grow it. In return, the algae will help us purify our water for free.
Yes Low tech again, I am sorry. I just can't make this stuff complicated or make it cost anything, it's just too simple.
Two minutes ago I ran my hand along my algae trough and this is what I came up with. There is absolutely no algae in my tank.
Sorry for interrupting this discussion of Algae Fix (whatever that is)
Have a great day
vegaskid11
vegasreefers.com
I like Pauls posts. They are always very informative and you can never question experience. Before I started having algae problems, I was running a 90 gallon refugium with a flourishing assortment of macro and micro algaes. I never had algae in my display. After I disconnected the 90 gallon refuge and made a small 20 gallon refuge making room for my larger frag tank, I started having problems.
I have also been concerned with what else the algaecide might be killing. I think in the end I may end up setting up a larger refugium linked to my system again.
I have also been concerned with what else the algaecide might be killing. I think in the end I may end up setting up a larger refugium linked to my system again.
iFisch
New member
I agree. I like how he maintains such a simple yet effective system. I strive for simplicity as well. Just dosing a tiny bit of Ca every now and then (when I need if, IF I need it), weekly WC's, and dosing AF every 3 days.
