Anyone ever used API's Algaefix?

[Bananafish]

At my wits end which, for those who know me, is not a good place

So, I was in PetSmart today buying dog food, and I saw a bottle of "API Algaefix for Marine Aquaria." I considered trying it, but I want to know if anyone has used this stuff and if I should bother. I found this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1595003. The first 2 pages say it's great but on page 91 (yeah, I know) it got poo-poo'd by a guy who says "this stuff is garbage". Does anyone have good reason for NOT using this stuff? I was going to buy it today, but I want to ask your opinions first. If it's a waste of time, what can I try after already having done "everything else" to get rid of this stuff? Here's the details:

I have a JBJ24 BioCube that's been running for about 3 years. In the last year or so, the algae has become uncontrollable. No amount of water changing, vodka, sugar, or periods of lights off is helping. I just did 2 months of hydrogen peroxide dosing every day with no results. The cube's chemistry looks good, but I am convinced the algae is affecting the tests. If I go in there and physically scrub the rock, scrape the glass, and siphon as much as I can, etc., it's back in a few days and looks like I never cleaned anything. I only have 2 damsels (4-line and a Royal), a small handful of softies and LPS, and a small CUC of hermits and assorted snails, so no problem with bioload. I've got a lot of GHA and red or red-brown bubble algae. There have been no additions since before this started. I did not try ChemiClean because I don't think there is any slime. Fish are fed Hikari-S only during the week and have not had frozen food for about 10 months.

Greatly appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

What is the phosphate test reading?

 

[Iammatt219]

What type of lighting and if bulbs what spectrum, and age?

 

[fishome25]

I've used it, coral wasn't happy about it.

 

[Bananafish]

Vinny, phosphate is reading close to zero. I don't believe it. Not that the test is bad, but I think there might be a lot more and the algae is eating enough to only show a trace on the test. But unless I can kill the greens, I'll never know.

Matt, I've got 2x36W CF with 10K/420nm splits, about 4 months old. I try to never let them go more than 6 months. Been using 4x65W of these on my 55 at home for years. I like 'em. If you disagree with the lighting, what would you use instead?

Fishome, thanks for the input. What kind of corals had problems? I have some Zoa and Palys, a flowerpot, an Acan, a small Lobo, a nice Blasto, and a small green Pagoda frag. The Acan is so happy it grew over its plug and fused itself to the rock. The Blasto is the only animal from my home tank that survived Sandy. It sat in 40 degree water for 2 weeks with no light, no current, no air, and a ton of toxins. I think it will be OK, but what do you think about the others?


Really appreciate everyone's help. I see AlgaeFix as a Hail Mary, but if you have better ideas I am listening. Thanks!

 

[Long Island Andy]

Hi
The peroxide should have started to wipe out the red brownish bubbles. If it s really GHA and not Bryopsis a sea hare or Mexican turbos will work on that. The ultimate algae eater in my opinion is a rabbitfish but the tank is kind of small for him. To continually have that much algae with your bioload is had to figure out. I would test the fresh water you are making your salt water with for phosphates or nitrates.
Hope this helps

 

[pinnatus]

I have tried it a couple of times. It never hurt my tank, but it also never hurt the algae. So maybe it depends on the type of algae you have.

 

[Bananafish]

Hi
The peroxide should have started to wipe out the red brownish bubbles. If it s really GHA and not Bryopsis a sea hare or Mexican turbos will work on that. The ultimate algae eater in my opinion is a rabbitfish but the tank is kind of small for him. To continually have that much algae with your bioload is had to figure out. I would test the fresh water you are making your salt water with for phosphates or nitrates.
Hope this helps

Does not appear to be bryopsis. There is no fern-like structure of any kind, and it comes off the rock easily. Positive it's not Derbesia. I have had the rock CLEAN for a few days to a week, but then it comes back. Dosing peroxide did nothing at 1.5ml/10g for 2 months. Never tried to wash the rocks. I will try that, but what to do about the stuff left on the walls and substrate? Incoming water has no nitrate or phosphate that I can detect either before or after mixing salt. I have tried Mexican turbos over the last year. They don't touch it. They only eat the thin layer of green on the glass right at the sand line. When that's all gone, they die. Thought of a hare, but those are always hit/miss, and I agree the tank is too small for a rabbit large enough to make a difference. I had a Coral Beauty until about a year ago. He didn't touch it, either. I thought it might be cyano, but it's GREEN, and the only green slime I have ever heard of is freshwater. Am I wrong?

I have tried it a couple of times. It never hurt my tank, but it also never hurt the algae. So maybe it depends on the type of algae you have.

Did a lot of reading on this since yesterday. AlgaeFix doesn't work on Bryopsis or Derbesia - and I'm not too sure I have either of these. If it really is green cyano it won't work on that, either. But I thank you very much for your input about it not hurting the critters.

 

[Bananafish]

Here are two pics of this stuff:


The more I look at it, the less it looks like Bryopsis, Derbesia, or Cyano. If you can identify it, you might win a prize. Thanks again.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Looks like GHA to me, I would try the hare.
Aquarium Village usually has them.
Call 1st to be sure.

 

[Bananafish]

Looks like GHA to me, I would try the hare.
Aquarium Village usually has them.
Call 1st to be sure.

Thanks, Vinny. Will see about this on the weekend because I have a few students to tutor and can't do it before then. Do you suggest trying to clean up a bit or just leave it? Also, is there anything about the chemistry I need to watch out for? I feel like an idiot, but in 35 years I've never had a hare because I've never jad GHA like this! Thanks again

 

[quagmire]

Be careful with the sea hare and peroxide. Choose one or the other.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Don't feel bad I'm in the same boat.
I try to clean up during water changes with a siphon.
I have a hare 2 fighting conch & a bunch of crabs & run GFO.
Test with a photometer is always very low or -O-.
There is algae I didn't even know existed, yet the corals seem to be having a good time, growing very well.

 

[rtecanoe]

I tried the algaefix a number of years back and it did not work for me, bothered certain of my corals as well. I personally wouldnt use it again. That being said it seemed to me that it worked on certain types of algae and not on others. Id try a bunch of mexican turbos as well, I find they eat more types of algae than anything else. Haven't seen any around in area LFS lately though.

 

[Bananafish]

Be careful with the sea hare and peroxide. Choose one or the other.

Thanks for this info. Supposedly, H202 is "safe", and I have not added any for at least 2 weeks, but this is good to know.

Don't feel bad I'm in the same boat.
I try to clean up during water changes with a siphon.
I have a hare 2 fighting conch & a bunch of crabs & run GFO.
Test with a photometer is always very low or -O-.
There is algae I didn't even know existed, yet the corals seem to be having a good time, growing very well.

Geez. I hope it never gets as bad as mine!

I tried the algaefix a number of years back and it did not work for me, bothered certain of my corals as well. I personally wouldnt use it again. That being said it seemed to me that it worked on certain types of algae and not on others. Id try a bunch of mexican turbos as well, I find they eat more types of algae than anything else. Haven't seen any around in area LFS lately though.

I've read a few posts about AF working or not working. Seems to work on anything that's not siphoniferous (is that the word?) which includes Bryopsis and Derbesia - the two hardest to get rid of.

OK, gents, the plan:
1- Get a hare
2- If the hare doesn't do it, give hare to Vinny and buy AlgaeFix
3- If the AlgaeFix doesn't do it, buy Clorox and start over.

Many thanks to everyone who responded. You were all very helpful.