AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae
- Thread starter HighlandReefer
- Start date
HighlandReefer
Team RC
The Tech M treatment nor the AlgaeFix seem to work on Bubble Algae from my readings through the threads. 
See this link for help controling the Bubble Algae:
Bubble Algae: Selected Description, controls and Comments
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
See this link for help controling the Bubble Algae:
Bubble Algae: Selected Description, controls and Comments
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
What I have seen is it looks like the AF does not kill the adult bubble algae once it is anchored to the rock. That is it will grow out like normal until it pops. When I got to 5-6 doses I was not convince it would kill off the bubble algae, because I was seeing what I thought at the time was new small bubble algae growth. Now I think that this growth was algae that had attached before I started the AF regiment. Once I decide that it was possible that some where, AF disrupt the bubble algae cycle. I started popping it the days I dose AF to see if the algae would grow back and it did not. So I knew I had it whipped and kept the doses going till there was none to be seen for a few weeks. I have now stopped AF for I don't know, a few months and have QT all new corals. The only algae that has returned is some type of brown slime but it is not a concern as it comes and goes when I feed heavily.
Last edited:
HighlandReefer
Team RC
GeoJ,
That's interesting that when you pop the bubble algae you were able to gain control of it. I never would of thought of that. Thanks for the post.
That's interesting that when you pop the bubble algae you were able to gain control of it. I never would of thought of that. Thanks for the post.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
I don't believe the AF is causing the pH drop. Perhaps more CO2 in the surrounding home air is the culprit.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
You don't need to turn of your skimmer when using AlgaeFix.
Running the skimmer will help remove dead algae and is benefitial during the treatment process. It will help to keep your tank aerated.
Running the skimmer will help remove dead algae and is benefitial during the treatment process. It will help to keep your tank aerated.
el aguila
New member
I'm in the process of reading through this thread - presently on page 26.
Real briefly here are my issues:
1. 190 Display tank /w 450G total water volume - 100G cryptic Fuge /w rock, 100G fuge /w deep sand bed, 80G in sump, 40G in frag tank, and 40G in quarantine/hospital
2. 06/11 Tank is plumbed for automatic water changes into house waste water. Had a ton of relatives in the house - cooking, showers, etc - Sewage backed up into my tank. I could write a book on the horror and hassles. Lost all SPS (except small piece Red Robin Stag), clams, and about 10% of fish. All LPS and 2 softies not affected.
Had major cyno problems used Boyds Chem clean, GAC, lots of water changes. After 6 months tank ready for SPS again.
3. 12/11 Stocked tank /w nice high end SPS frags. Went out of town. Someone opened my auto feeder up all the way dumped a container of food in tank. Tank full of algae again lost all SPS (except RRS) and some LPS due to algae.
Tank is better, but still too much algae and cyno. I believe that my rock has absorbed Po, and it's driving me crazy! Once again I have placed some free SPS frags from friends to see how they will do everything is doing well. Been running GAC and GFO heavily, water changes, lights out, etc.
Anyway seeing this thread really perked my interest because I'm about to yank out my rock and substrate and start over. Unfortunately, I've recently been laid off, so I need to try someting else.
AF came in today and some more Boyd's Chem Clean.
Because I know that I have cyno, I'm thinking of doing the Boyd's and then wait 2 weeks /w heavy water changes. And then depending on the existence of algae starting the AF.
If I understand right, the AF is only active for 24 hours. If this is so, I'll probably shut down GAC and GFO during the 1st 24 hours after dosing AF. Possibly use the AF more as maintenance for algae.
Since I haven't read the whole thread just looking for input before getting started.
Real briefly here are my issues:
1. 190 Display tank /w 450G total water volume - 100G cryptic Fuge /w rock, 100G fuge /w deep sand bed, 80G in sump, 40G in frag tank, and 40G in quarantine/hospital
2. 06/11 Tank is plumbed for automatic water changes into house waste water. Had a ton of relatives in the house - cooking, showers, etc - Sewage backed up into my tank. I could write a book on the horror and hassles. Lost all SPS (except small piece Red Robin Stag), clams, and about 10% of fish. All LPS and 2 softies not affected.
Had major cyno problems used Boyds Chem clean, GAC, lots of water changes. After 6 months tank ready for SPS again.
3. 12/11 Stocked tank /w nice high end SPS frags. Went out of town. Someone opened my auto feeder up all the way dumped a container of food in tank. Tank full of algae again lost all SPS (except RRS) and some LPS due to algae.
Tank is better, but still too much algae and cyno. I believe that my rock has absorbed Po, and it's driving me crazy! Once again I have placed some free SPS frags from friends to see how they will do everything is doing well. Been running GAC and GFO heavily, water changes, lights out, etc.
Anyway seeing this thread really perked my interest because I'm about to yank out my rock and substrate and start over. Unfortunately, I've recently been laid off, so I need to try someting else.
AF came in today and some more Boyd's Chem Clean.
Because I know that I have cyno, I'm thinking of doing the Boyd's and then wait 2 weeks /w heavy water changes. And then depending on the existence of algae starting the AF.
If I understand right, the AF is only active for 24 hours. If this is so, I'll probably shut down GAC and GFO during the 1st 24 hours after dosing AF. Possibly use the AF more as maintenance for algae.
Since I haven't read the whole thread just looking for input before getting started.
The GAC I don't know, but I did run GFO during AF with no prob.
el aguila
New member
I'm just thinking if the active or binding life of the AF is 24 hours, why have it bind to GAC and GFO? Why not just turn them off, let the AF binf to Po, and then turn them back on after 24 hours.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
AlgaeFix kills algae which begin to break down in your water column producing cloudiness. This is a good reason why you want to continue to skim & remove as much algae as possible before you treat with AF. Running AC helps remove dissolved organic wastes.
Increased filtration like filter bags or perhaps a Diatom filter will help remove the build-up of broken off algae parts, dead algae and increased bacterial populations which feed on the dead algae parts. Wet skimming is advised.
Increased filtration like filter bags or perhaps a Diatom filter will help remove the build-up of broken off algae parts, dead algae and increased bacterial populations which feed on the dead algae parts. Wet skimming is advised.
crabbyjoe
New member
that makes perfect sense. i have some AC running w/ my GFO but not a lot. already dialed skimmer up so hopefully not too cloudy for too long. hair algae is only on deeper parts of tank (below 18 inches) so thinking bulbs are part culprit. new bulbs are on the way but wanted to try to get ahead of HA before then if possible. i'll post some before, along the way and after pics.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
:thumbsup:
Witch-King
Premium Member
I think this is Derbesia and I'm at a loss on how to beat it. I figured I would post here, but if this is Derbesia I read that Algae fix couldn't eradicate it. The tank has been up for years and is thriving better than ever before, but I missed months of water changes while doing a house remodel and now I'm stuck with these clumps of the worst algae I've ever experienced. I recently increased mag with tech m from 1250 to 1600 and still showing no change 5 days into treatment.
el aguila
New member
I just finished Chem Clean with a large water change on Sunday. Will probably do 40G water changes every 3 days for 3-5 water changes.
Looks like what I thought was cyno must be a type of algae because the chemiclean didn't phase it.
With the difference in chemical composition between the Chemiclean and the AlgaeFix, how long should I wait before dosing the AF? I have also switched out carbon and GFO yesterday and am wet skimming.
Am thinking about dosing AF over a 2 hour period since there are some negative comments about dosing AF to larger tanks. Spot applying locally to major infestations. Next dose manually pull previously hit algae out and proceeding to another area of rock.
Looks like what I thought was cyno must be a type of algae because the chemiclean didn't phase it.
With the difference in chemical composition between the Chemiclean and the AlgaeFix, how long should I wait before dosing the AF? I have also switched out carbon and GFO yesterday and am wet skimming.
Am thinking about dosing AF over a 2 hour period since there are some negative comments about dosing AF to larger tanks. Spot applying locally to major infestations. Next dose manually pull previously hit algae out and proceeding to another area of rock.
