AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae

[muppet]

I cut WAY back on feeding, but then I added an engineer goby and I feel bad not feeding at least once per day. He's tough to target feed, so I feed the tank.

I did add GAC and I started skimming wet, though, and I added about 33% more live rock to my system. I hope all that is enough to absorb the feedings...

 

[ganjero]

Here is my experience.
I got the hair algae from a frag's plug which spread all over one side of my tank. I checked my parameters and everything was in normal ranges. I tried 5 day blackouts, increasing my CUC, changing my phosphate media, manual removal (ended up spreading the hair algae more) and big water changes. Following SunnyX advise, I added a pump to my sump and my skimmer efficiency was doubled, now I have to clean it every 3 days :thumbsup:. but this didn't help getting rid of the HA.

I was about to tear apart the tank and start all over again until I found this thread and decided to give it a shot.
I dose every 3 days as directed by the manufacturer, didn't turn off anything (skimmer, phosphaste media, bio-pellets, lighting period) and I didn't do any manual removal while dosing.

After 7 doses I have to say this really works and I believe I have it under control now. Today I added more turbos and I will keep and eye on my parameters, which I also tested today and are normal. The only side effect so far is part of my chaeto died. I will stop dosing every 3 days, and start dosing once a week sine I don't want to kill my macro-algae.
Dose 1

Dose 2
Forgot to take pics.
Dose 3

Dose 4

 

[ganjero]

Dose 5

Dose 6

Dose 7

 

[HighlandReefer]

Thanks for the post with great pictures.

:thumbsup:

 

[Toadally]

Yes, thanks for posting!

 

[dp122098]

Here is my experience.
I got the hair algae from a frag's plug which spread all over one side of my tank. I checked my parameters and everything was in normal ranges. I tried 5 day blackouts, increasing my CUC, changing my phosphate media, manual removal (ended up spreading the hair algae more) and big water changes. Following SunnyX advise, I added a pump to my sump and my skimmer efficiency was doubled, now I have to clean it every 3 days :thumbsup:. but this didn't help getting rid of the HA.

I was about to tear apart the tank and start all over again until I found this thread and decided to give it a shot.
I dose every 3 days as directed by the manufacturer, didn't turn off anything (skimmer, phosphaste media, bio-pellets, lighting period) and I didn't do any manual removal while dosing.

After 7 doses I have to say this really works and I believe I have it under control now. Today I added more turbos and I will keep and eye on my parameters, which I also tested today and are normal. The only side effect so far is part of my chaeto died. I will stop dosing every 3 days, and start dosing once a week sine I don't want to kill my macro-algae.
Dose 1

Dose 2
Forgot to take pics.
Dose 3

Dose 4

I just wanted to verify that you dosed AlgaeFix Marine.

 

[ganjero]

Yes,
AlgaeFix Marine.

 

[zigzag1]

I think that it's a good idea that when using algaefix, and the GHA is dying, it will be expelling phosphates back into the water and to use, or possibly over-use, GFO to be pulling all that phosphate back out of your system before some other algae can grab it up and become your new problem. JMTC & GL!

 

[newreefbishop]

Just started my first dose, I will let you know my results in a few days. DP, I will check on the resin for your tomorrow.

 

[got2luvreefin]

Ok, so I only had to dose 3 times and the hairy mat of algae on my sand is gone. The little bit of slimy dino I had was unaffected, so I did the hydrogen peroxide soak and scrub and it is gone. I am however, left with a rust colored algae everywhere. I treated with chemiclean, and it never touched the stuff. It blows of the rocks like dust. Could this be a form of dino? It is bright orange to rust colored and is on the rocks and sand. Before I take all the rock out and scrub it, I would like to identify it. Any ideas?

 

[HighlandReefer]

Perhaps diatoms which are known as the golden algae?

 

[got2luvreefin]

Thanks, I was thinking dino or diatoms. I forgot that I added new sand lol. Well, I guess I will have to wait and see if they go away. Although, I have never seen diatoms this orange.

 

[saltman1]

So am I right in saying general consesus is this stuff will harm cheato?!?!

 

[HighlandReefer]

IME, it did not harm chaeto until after around 11-12 doses.

 

[bdaniel5278]

will algae fix kill cyanobacteria??

been fighting this stuff for a month or so, and cant seem to get it to stop, im using RO/DI water, and see signature for tank specs, also do 20% water changes every other week, this stuff is making me want to just break the tank down and start all over with a tank that has a sump, where i can more control it with a gfo reactor or something, i know i can run reactors without a sump but i already have so much stuff hanging on and in my tank, no room to put another pump in there for a reactor, any advice anyone??

 

[HighlandReefer]

There are many species of cyanobacteria found in the ocean. The AF label claims it will control Oscillatoria & Spirulina major cyanobacteria. Without a microscope you will not be able to ID cyanobacteria.

 

[Ralph ATL]

Has anyone has any livestock losses by following dosing regimen, and leaving skimmer, carbon, gfo on, and vodka/carbon dosing?

 

[HighlandReefer]

One complaint that has come up a few times was regarding sea cucumbers. There have been several losses. I would remove any you might have in your tank.

Exactly what the cause of their death is unknown but it was in conjunction with AF dosing.

 

[Ralph ATL]

ooo....thanks! I have a tiger, too!

 

[HighlandReefer]

You are welcome.

Tigers are really nice looking. If you kill all the algae off, they may starve to death.

Something like this tiger?