AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae

[PhreeBYrd]

Bruno:

I'd also be very interested in the name of the product you referred to. The only other product similar to AlgaeFix that I'm aware of is Algae-X, which, last I heard, the mfr had stopped shipping pending further testing. I believe they have a sponsor forum on RC.

The only photosynthetic coral I noticed any issues with was my pocillopora, which began to bleach beginning around treatment #12... but they are still alive and growing 3 weeks later. Acroporas & montiporas, as well as all other corals, are unaffected. I do not have any ricordia or other soft corals in the tank I treated.

 

[keaton]

About 3 months ago we started seeing evidence of "hair algae" (please don't ask me to identify the species) in our 150 gallon. The system had been running since last September with most of its rock and livestock coming from a 55 gallon set up that my 17-year-old son kept. He had battled HA in the 55 for several months before the move but seemed to have it under control. We have a very diverse coral collection from sarcos and singularia, ricordia and other mushrooms to SPS and LPS, cyanarinas, blastos, micros, zoas, etc. Also a diverse clean-up crew with a bazillion snails of about 5-6 different species, hermit crabs.

Fast forward to Feb/Mar...we started seeing the beginning of HA. Since all our test results were good (Alk 8, pH 8.2, Calcium +/-400, 0 on nitrate and phosphate), I am very faithful with maintenance (clean skimmer and change filter sock 2X weekly, monthly water changes) and I rinse frozen food and feed very lightly, run gfo and purigen...I was really surprised. I'm still not sure what triggered it, perhaps the disappearance of our couple year old lawnmower blennie a couple months earlier. Anyway, I manually removed as much as possible, but like many folks I just succeeded in spreading it around. I tried the usual suggestions (+ mag, lighting schedule, wet skimming, etc.) with no result.

I dosed for the first time May 28 (Thursday). Everything looked good when I left town Friday. Sunday evening I came home to a totally bleached acropora valida and pink birds nest. I don't know if something else could have happened (a temp spike?).

Most of the HA was dark and pulled off quite easily. I think I miscalculated my system volume trying to estimate the water displaced by the rock and overdosed. I waited until June 9 (this past Tuesday) and dosed about 1/2 my original dose. Once again the HA is showing signs of deterioration with no adverse effects on any other livestock. Crabs, cleaner shrimp, snails, fish, other corals all seem to be okay. My two largest sarcophytons aren't totally happy, but it could just be their time of the month...you know how they are.

I plan to continue to use this product but want to caution folks about dosage. If you aren't SURE of your system volume, I'd suggest to dose at a lower level than you might think. Remember that most of the rocks are porous and there is a lot of water filling in the gaps between the rocks so don't do what I did and just think, "if I piled all the rocks up on one end of the aquarium, would it take up 1/4, 1/3 of it???" I don't think that is a good way to guestimate. I might sound like an idiot for even saying it out loud but surely I'm not the only one that thought that was a good idea at the time.

Thanks to everyone that posted their comments, I never would have tried the product without your experience. I wanted to post my experience in hopes I can help save someone else some heartache.

Happy Reefing!
Keaton's Mom

 

[Bruno3047]

This is the alternative product I was referring to:

New Version

http://www.petsolutions.com/Default.aspx?ItemID=96301110

Old Version

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753927&clickid=cart#prodTab1

Product description:

"Prevents hair, slime, black, red, brown, and other undesirable species of microalgae from adhering to aquarium surfaces. Combines with particulate matter for easy filtration removal. Safe for fish, invertebrates, and macroalgaes"

"Easy to use liquid keeps marine tanks algae free. Contains no nitrates or phosphates"

"Keeps marine reef and "fish only" tanks sparkling clean. Combines with unsightly particulate matter for easy removal by filtration to make the tank sparkle. When used as directed, it is safe for corals, anemones, fish, other invertebrates, zooxanthellae and macroalgae."

I used this product back in the 90's when I was running a FO tank. Did a great job of keeping the HA and cyano under control, but it did negatively impact the water quality somewhat.

 

[aznepydna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15153638#post15153638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
The fresh water AlgaeFix and the Marine AlgaeFix have the same active ingredient and concentration. They may be identical except the label. I am not going to say that the fresh water version is safe to use though.

Anyone want to be a Guinea pig?

I think that the freshwater version also has copper sulfate in it.

Andy

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15181082#post15181082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
This is the alternative product I was referring to:

New Version

http://www.petsolutions.com/Default.aspx?ItemID=96301110

Old Version

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753927&clickid=cart#prodTab1

Product description:

"Prevents hair, slime, black, red, brown, and other undesirable species of microalgae from adhering to aquarium surfaces. Combines with particulate matter for easy filtration removal. Safe for fish, invertebrates, and macroalgaes"

"Easy to use liquid keeps marine tanks algae free. Contains no nitrates or phosphates"

"Keeps marine reef and "fish only" tanks sparkling clean. Combines with unsightly particulate matter for easy removal by filtration to make the tank sparkle. When used as directed, it is safe for corals, anemones, fish, other invertebrates, zooxanthellae and macroalgae."

I used this product back in the 90's when I was running a FO tank. Did a great job of keeping the HA and cyano under control, but it did negatively impact the water quality somewhat.

Would like to know as well.

 

[bshumake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15181082#post15181082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bruno3047
This is the alternative product I was referring to:

That sounds more like a folliculating agent to me. I know they all like to say "sparkling clean" water quality. Doesn't this require you to either wet skim or to turn the skimmer off?

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15182678#post15182678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bshumake
I know they all like to say "sparkling clean" water quality. Doesn't this require you to either wet skim or to turn the skimmer off?

What if you don't skim?

 

[HighlandReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15181225#post15181225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aznepydna
I think that the freshwater version also has copper sulfate in it.

Andy

Andy, where did you get this info from? Is this from a scientific source or speculation on the part of another hobbyist. I really don't want to spread undocumented or unfounded rumors here if possible.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Bruno,

I have searched for an EPA registration for Marine Tank Clarifier and have not found one. To the best of my knowledge, there is none. If so, this is what I classify as a "Snake Oil". I don't mean to sound offensive, but this product has not been tested by EPA to prove it is reef safe. This product can contain anything. We do not know what we are working with here. No government agency has proved that it does what this manufacturer claims. You are at their mercy. Many of the products push false advertising IMHO to sell their merchandise. Use it at your own risk. The problem with results with a product like this is that nothing is by any means scientific with what hobbyists claim, do to all the variables in a reef system. Also, without knowing what is in it, we have no idea how it may control the algae & other pests. Is it something that removes organics from the system only and reduces food sources to algae or does it actually kill the algae like AlgaeFix Marine does?

That said, I am still interested in hearing about what other hobbyists' experience are with this product. Who knows it may work and not cause problems in your system. I would follow the label to the max. while using and keep track of all the variables and inhabitants found specific to your system. This could prove beneficial to other hobbyists who might decide to try it.

 

[aznepydna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15182830#post15182830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
Andy, where did you get this info from? Is this from a scientific source or speculation on the part of another hobbyist. I really don't want to spread undocumented or unfounded rumors here if possible.

I was looking at algea controllers for my koi pond and one of the products at Menards listed copper sulfate as one of the ingredients. So it is pure speculation on my part that this may be in algea fix freshwater too. This would explain the warning not to use in the presence of inverts. If algeafix freshwater contains copper I do not see any reason why it would not be listed as an ingredient.

Andy

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15182936#post15182936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aznepydna
I was looking at algea controllers for my koi pond and one of the products at Menards listed copper sulfate as one of the ingredients. So it is pure speculation on my part that this may be in algea fix freshwater too. This would explain the warning not to use in the presence of inverts. If algeafix freshwater contains copper I do not see any reason why it would not be listed as an ingredient.

Andy

Well, since I seem to be the only one dosing the FW version I will add my opinion.

At first, it worked. It continues to work, HOWEVER, I have lost one hermit and three snails since doing my "weekly" dosing of 1ml/week.

I have not seen a swing in salinity, or any other water parameters. Everything is consistent and constant, to the best of my abilities.



I will STOP using this product, and go with the "marine" version, instead. It is just not worth it, when so much is invested into my tiny 14g. I will pay the price difference, in order to keep my exclusive and unique CuC around. I won't chance it again.

Additionally, corals are looking as good as before dosing the FW version, but 1 zoa frag seems "stressed" and is only fully open about 1-2x a week. I cannot attest this to the chemical, or me just finding the right amount of light for it (it previously came from a tank lite by 2x250w MH).

Fish look as healthy as when they did the first dose. I haven't seen any difference in regards to the fishes health. I do have a peppermint shrimp that has been with me for some time, and is still alive and eating well.




So, is the loss of the snails and hermit a result of the chemical? I don't know, but I hate to chance it, to save a few bucks. BUT, the chemical from API seems to work well. IMO, go with the "reef" version. This product seems to have a very high chance of improving/controlling the pest/problem algae.

 

[HighlandReefer]

The EPA registration is strictly for AlgaeFix Marine as far as I can tell. Unfortunately when their is no EPA Registration you really can't tell for sure what is in a product. So your assumption could possibly be true to the best of my understanding.

The advantages to requiring EPA registration is that we know what is going on and testing has been submitted and approved.

The disadvantages is the price goes up.

 

[sanababit]

IMO, even tough both the freshwater and marine have the same ingredients, i would get the version that IS for your type of tank, i cant believe this guys are just selling the same liquid for both OR maybe, lol, you know what my statement is making me think, LOL

Sana

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15183574#post15183574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
IMO, even tough both the freshwater and marine have the same ingredients
Sana

I am certain they have the same "active" ingredient, but it's the other 95.5% that we don't know. I would assume 94%+ is water, but there may be additional ingredients.


I would agree though, just get the "Marine" version. Because it DOES work wonders for most.

 

[bshumake]

my algae is resolving nicely. Most of the algae that I can't remove by hand is scrubbing off the rock with a toothbrush. I was impressed to finally see parts of my rock that I thought might never be seen again.

 

[cnaegler]

I've dosed 4 times now , tomorrow being the 5th and i've still not seen any recession in my algae. I 've tried pulling out, thinking it would come off easily, but it's still holding on strong. Maybe after a few more doses.

 

[HighlandReefer]

cnaegler,

I had to refresh my memory about your pest:

You might try mixing up the amount you dose of the AlgaeFix in some tank water and then apply this concentrated mix directly to your pest with something like a turkey baster. I'm not sure which algae this is you are fighting, but it does look like a challenge. I assume your nitrate and phoshate levels are reading zero?

 

[cnaegler]

Cliff,
My nitrates are always zero...as far as phosphates, i'll test here in a few minutes and post my results. whats confusing me is my algae is still growing...i just CANNOT find a nutrient source.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Reducing your phosphate & nitrate will help in controlling the algae pests but will not eliminate some of the species. One other possibility is that you could have a cyanobacteria, which is a different story. The picture is not a good close-up of your pest.

Here is an example:

 

[Haksar]

Did my 06th Dose today and found a slight improvemt at least that the GHA has not increased but that could be because my lights were off for 3 days and today was the 01st day of full lights.
But at least I found that some of the areas the GHA has reduced and my filter bags has got some good sludge even though I cleaned it only two days back.

Let''s see.