AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae

Just wanted to add my recent experiences with AlgaeFix to this thread. I had a massive hair algae outbreak in my 39g tank, and after all the 'standard' fixes failed, I decided to give AlgaeFix a shot, based on what I'd read here.

I actually only used two doses, as the second treatment, along with thorough rock scrubbing and detritus removal did the trick. It's been three weeks, and the hair algae shows no sign of return.

Now, I've got a new problem, though, and it's one others have mentioned. I've got cyano issues. Every day I see cyano growth, especially on the sand bed. I can easily turkey baste it away, but it's back within a couple of hours. Tank parameters seem great... nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate are all at undetectable levels. I'd really like to figure this one out too.

CC
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849887#post14849887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
I have been thinking about reducing the recommend amount for your system by 1/2, and applying that amount directly to the GHA.
What do you think????
Click to expand...

The idea of getting the AlgaeFix directly on the green hair algae before it contacts other things that may absorb it, sounds like a good idea to me. Perhaps a turkey baster may work? If you decide to try it, keep us posted. ;)
 
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California Crow,

Thanks for sharing your success with AlgaeFix Marine regarding your algae problem.

The red (purple) cyano can be a real problem. Many hobbyists have used Erythromycin with some success. Many have reported that it returns after treatment (Randy has experienced this). Perhaps the treatment process with the antibiotics may need to be made for longer periods of time to completely eradicate it. Other than that, most who stay on top of it eventually win. I have some myself and I don't believe that the AlgaeFix is going to take care of it. :(
 
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Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a shot, as I'm pretty much out of the normal options. I've cut back on photoperiod, am being very frugal with feedings, running GAC and GFO. and skimming. It's a frustrating thing, as I've never had a tank that looked as good as this on paper, but as bad as this face to face. :)

CC


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850025#post14850025 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
California Crow,

Thanks for sharing your success with AlgaeFix Marine.

The red (purple) cyano can be a real problem. Many hobbyists have used Erythromycin with some success. Many have reported that it returns after treatment (Randy has experienced this). Perhaps the treatment process with the antibiotics may need to be made for longer periods of time to completely eradicate it. Other than that, most who stay on top of it eventually win. I have some myself and I don't believe that the AlgaeFix is going to take care of it. :(
Click to expand...
 
Chemi-clean by Boyd's has worked well for me in the past for cyanobacteria. I can't remember the last time I used it, but I don't think it is an antibiotic.
 
I have read threads regarding the use of Boyd Enterprises Chemi-Clean. It gets about the same remarks said about it as the Erythromycin, where in many cases the cyano will come back.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not disclose what active ingredient is in it that I am aware of. From reading the label they want you to discontinue skimming, carbon, GFO and do water changes after the treatment. This sounds somewhat alarming to a hobbyist such as myself that has no idea what is in it. They do say it is safe for marine tanks. :(
 
used chemi clean and it worked bery well at proper doses. turned off skimmer for 24 hours as directed and changed 20% of water 48 hours after dosing. all disappeares. no other issues w/ chemi clean. but now have a large gh problem, and will probably use the algaefix marine.
 
I believe that Boomer has stated that he has used the Chem-Clean with success also, although he recommended it be used as a last resort.

Thanks for the experiences with the chem-Clean product. :thumbsup:
 
Today Ed and I were able to take the rock out that had the most GHA on it, he scrubbed that rock so clean it was squeaking :D

We were also able to move ever so carefully some of the rocks and scrub in between them too.

We performed a 60 gallon water change out.

We recalculated our total volume and it is 415 gallons, so the 37ml is under dosing right??????

I will not dose the 37ml again, my LPS just did not respond well at all.

I did use a total of 5ml directly to a few places we could not reach or move the rocks to reach with a syringe.

Our cocoa worm is still alive, just not peeking out to see if the coast is clear yet;)
the starfish are finally moving around as normal :)

We have noticed the tangs and grazing on the exposed GHA and we are moving the snails directly on the exposed GHA.....
Some snails are staying in place some are not....

We have declared WAR on the GHA in the tank:lol:

Oh, just replaced the GFO today too, it was time......

We'll keep you posted.... :smoking:
 
I have noticed on the tips of the green hair algae that is or has died, what appears to be cyanobacteria setting in to those tips. The good news is that I have alot of flow and the pieces as they die are getting pulled from the rocks, chopped up in the Vortechs and presumably skimmed out, as I see lots of GHA in the skimmer cup.

The past 2 days I have been skimming very wet pulling out a yellow-green thin skimmate with chunks of GHA. I have been skimming out a full Bubble King Supermarin 250 collection cup a day.

I think I may have a cyano issue after this is over, but I find the cyano much easier to deal with than this GHA.
 
I added my fourth dose yesterday. My gha problem wasn't the worst I have seen but it was way out of control. I feel my problem stems from not rinsing my foods and the lack of macro/sump/dsb due to limited space.

Anyways....I have a mixed reef with SPS, LPS, softies, anemones, shrooms, shrimp, many small brittle stars, breeding snails, etc....I have seen a reduction in copeopods and a small outbreak of cyano after the third dose but it is gone now.

I dose a roughly 30g total water volume with 3ml every three days directly into a powerhead. As of yet I have no Ill affects to any of the tank mates except for the copeopods. This is also just a simple inference on my part about them.

GHA is dying fast and not regrowing. My largest rock looks like it has male pattern baldness :)

I think everyone with cyano problems should just keep dosing like normal and see if it will fix itself like mine did.


ON A SIDE NOTE.... Is anyone keeping up with WC's while in the regiment. I am keeping my sunday schedual of 5g's and I dose 1ml in the new water itself.
 
Dynomight,

That's dynamite, that AlgaeFix Marine is working for you. ;)

I am particularly interested in any effects that AlgaeFix may have on your shrimp. Keep us posted. :thumbsup:

I have not been keeping up with my water changes since dosing AlgaeFix. :(

I am not concerned about AlgaeFix building-up in my system. I was told by the manufacturer that AlgaeFix will brake down within 24 hrs.
 
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dynomight
Glad to hear the AlgaeFix Marine is working for you :)

If I may ask, what are your LPS's?

We also had a reduction in copeopods, we are not to worried about those as they reproduce like rabbits :)
 
Ditto on the pods, I just found a huge amphipod in my overflow.

LPS are a few different torches (purple with yellow tips, green with yellow tips, and a hammer), a very cool australian purple bubble, and a duncan with about 10 babies and two large heads. It hasnt been fully extended in a week but I came home from work the other day to a torch with one tentacle stinging it.

SPS are a couple different acro's and a purple with yellow polyps monti.

I have had the monit for a couple of years and the acros for about 3 months. They still all have polyps and the same color as before the treatment.
 
Just an update on my dosing of AlgaeFix Marine. I started dosing it on 3/10/2009, approx. every three days at the recommended rate. My dosing is not a true case for analyzing its effectiveness, since I have only cleaned half of my tank. Currently the cleaned half is clean of algae and the other half has it, but is not growing much.

Recently I have observed a downward turn in the health of my chaeto. It now is not doing well at all and I will remove it. So, IMHO, the AlgaeFix Marine may have ill effects on Chaeto after a prolonged use (11 doses) while dosing at the three day intervals.

I have not observed any ill effects in any of my corals, RBTA, fish, snails or other organisms in my system.
 
Good point about the cleaning Cliff.

I have been cleaning my tank as I go along and things look so much better now than when I started. Today should be dose 4.
 
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