API algaefix?

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

anybody heard of it ,anybody use it?

db366 · May 29, 2012

Its for freshwater only. What kind of algae problem are you having? Brown on the sand? Slimy purple stuff on your sand/rocks? Green on the glass?

jef4y · May 29, 2012

db366;769674 wrote: Its for freshwater only.

Not so my friend...

They have a marine version which can give very good results when used as directed, and as part of a regimented algae combat program.

I spent 2+ years battling a red turf algae, and finally cured it with about 4 months of AlgaeFix, weekly GFO changes & bi-weekly 25% water changes.

It definitely does have its risks though. It killed most of my CUC, wiped out my Chaeto which subsequently killed most of my pods and that almost killed my mandarin.

I wouldn't look to it as a first option by any means.

db366 · May 29, 2012

JeF4y;769678 wrote: Not so my friend...

They have a marine version which can give very good results when used as directed, and as part of a regimented algae combat program.

I spent 2+ years battling a red turf algae, and finally cured it with about 4 months of AlgaeFix, weekly GFO changes & bi-weekly 25% water changes.

It definitely does have its risks though. It killed most of my CUC, wiped out my Chaeto which subsequently killed most of my pods and that almost killed my mandarin.

I wouldn't look to it as a first option by any means.

I had no clue, I have only ever seen the FW version at petsmart.

jef4y · May 29, 2012

db366;769680 wrote: I had no clue, I have only ever seen the FW version at petsmart.

http://www.aquacave.com/API-Algaefix-Marine--P3417.aspx?gclid=CIPAqcmkprACFYuc7QodTzfVWw">http://www.aquacave.com/API-Algaefix-Marine--P3417.aspx?gclid=CIPAqcmkprACFYuc7QodTzfVWw</a>

There were some discussions here on it and HUGE discussions/debates on RC. :up:

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

thanks for the input, I got some green hair algae I'm trying to get rid of, they say won't hurt your clean up crew? what's in it?

Edit: it didn't kill your shrimp did it?

jef4y · May 29, 2012

When you start using stuff like this, all bets are off. Inverts are generally the first to go.

Did it kill my shrimp? Well, I didn't do an autopsy or anything but my suspicion is that yes, it did.

iPhone, Tapatalk, Tpyos

jcampbell · May 29, 2012

heathlindner25;769725 wrote: thanks for the input, I got some green hair algae I'm trying to get rid of, they say won't hurt your clean up crew? what's in it?

Edit: it didn't kill your shrimp did it?

Green hair algae: Sea slug! Best $25 I have ever spent! After, It never grew back because my tangs keep it cut back and I keep parameters in check.

ralph atl · May 29, 2012

You must export the same or more nutrients than you put in. Overfeeding, tap water, high phosphate foods, etc. 
 
Water changes will do little for phosphate reduction as phates bind and get absorbed in rock, sand, algae, etc. 
 
If you choose GFO, you’ll need to start SLOWL! Use 25% of the recommended media, slowly increasing every week. Once acclimated you’ll need to change your Iron based media in the phosphate reactor more often. Your media will get saturated within 1-2 weeks or so depending upon how much is bound up in your rocks, sand, tank, algae, etc. Use less media, change every 2 weeks. Use a great test kit like DD Merck, Hack, or colormeter or even Elos. If you already have a fuge & reactor, be aggressive & change the media every 2 weeks.
 
I use a dual reactor from BRS with GFO & Rox Carbon. I change about every 10-14 days. 
 
When you do your water change, take the end of the hose and suck all the algae down like a vacuum. It'll take a few water changes, but it works (especially after the phosphate remover kicks in)
 
Use a phosphate reactor with some GFO, and something to lower nitrates like a fuge, Vodka, VSV, Solid Vodka Pellets (bio-pellets) or other carbon source. 
 
Weekly water changes, frequent media changes, and Vodka (carbon) dosing can take care of most algae that are caused by higher than wanted nutrients. 
 
Please change some sand now and then, and some rocks too!
 
 
check out:
 
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm</a>
 
 
 
VSV:
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1225324">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1225324</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22849&highlight=vodka">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...ighlight=vodka</a>

hhughes · May 29, 2012

Algaefix terrifies me, but only because I'm used to the freshwater version. I know nothing about the saltwater one.

(While working at petsmart, I had many people come in who had accidentally overdosed algaefix with tragic results. Nothing like a huge manly man with a bucket of dying koi and tears streaming down his face to make your day in retail that much weirder.*)

(*snatching said bucket away and doing an instant 100% water change from our system saved about half the fish within minutes yay!)

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

Ok,ok,ok, I just saw it's in the store, I thought it might help me lol. my tank is about 5 months old I'm running purigen, phosguatd and carbon I don't know what else to do

hhughes · May 29, 2012

What kind of algae is it?

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

green hair algae, all my levels are good? maybe need a big ol bottle of Patience

grouper therapy · May 29, 2012

heathlindner25;769838 wrote: green hair algae, all my levels are good? maybe need a big ol bottle of Patience

Do you have any algae eaters in the tank? Algae can grow in a low nutrient tank especially since it assist in making it a low nutrient tank. If you can remove the algae you will then give the other export methods a chance take over the job.
As of now it doesn't want to share it's nutrients with the other exporters of nutrients.

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

thanks for all the information, you mean just manually going there with a toothbrush and clean house? that might sound obtuse but I just pulled an all nighter at work, need sleepy.

grouper therapy · May 29, 2012

heathlindner25;769851 wrote: thanks for all the information, you mean just manually going there with a toothbrush and clean house? that might sound obtuse but I just pulled an all nighter at work, need sleepy.

I try to avoid anything labor intensive.

I would let some snails do it .

ralph atl · May 29, 2012

heathlindner25;769838 wrote: green hair algae, all my levels are good? maybe need a big ol bottle of Patience

See my post above....

Change GFO weekly as needed along with weekly water changes and rox carbon...

Any rock you can remove, remove and treat for ten minutes with H2O2 at 3%.

jef4y · May 29, 2012

The overall best advice I can give you in battling algae is that there is NO QUICK/CHEAP FIX. Period.

The only way out of this is a long-term, METHODIC approach of increased water changes, rock cleaning/scrubbing/vacuuming (manual removal) and treatment with GFO, macro algae, etc etc etc.

You have to work at it for the long-term, not anything overnight.

From there you have to alter your personal methods and practices, ensuring you do not put in more phosphates than can be exported.

ralph atl · May 29, 2012

Algae fix will work on "certain types/species" of algae, but there are consequences.

1. some inverts may die
2. if you are not exporting enough nitrates & phosphates now, then you will just be in the same situation 6 months from now
3. if not used "to the letter", then your tank can "crash"

heathlindner25 · May 29, 2012

just not sure on what practices I need to change, I do it 3 gallon water change everyday, replace carbon purigen and phosguard weekly, and just feed my fish 5 of them, a tiny bit of flakes twice a day. on a 36 gallon bow front. I do you use publix r o water? 3 gallons everyday or every other day, depending on if I'm vacuuming my gravel

API algaefix?

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