AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae

[biecacka]

tank is like 85% clear of gha now, few more doses and water changes i should be ok!!!

corey

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by ecfort57

If you have a yellow tang who eats some of the algae will this hurt him

We have had no reports of fish loses that I recall from using AF.

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by biecacka

cliff, I'm dosing AF but i have a question regarding the frequency of it, it says every 3 days. i just dosed on Saturday now would my next dose be monday or tuesday?
corey

Tuesday would be your next dose.

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by brandon429

What populations are we sure it works on outside of the intended target? Did anyone notice a specific collateral loss or are we talking theoretical or strictly microbial/invisible losses

Start with nitrifying bacteria, we must assume it has some element of selectivity (at least in threshold maximums) among microorganisms since these don't die off while other x populations do...

Its helpful to know the specific unintended populations affected by this or any other systemic doser to at least get a real idea of what's going on, I figure af being a for profit doser has been tested, and someone might have specifics on how the biocide targets algae over nitrifiers?

AF makes holes in the outside cell wall of algae which allows the contents of the cells to spew out. There was a post early in this thread where this was described. Not all cell walls of organisms are constructed the same, so the effects can vary. However the ingredient in AF is a biocide at higher concentrations which means it will kill bacteria, fungi, algae, cyano......etc at higher levels. How the lower concentrations of the AF ingredient differ on effects of micro-organism is a good question to which I have no answer.

[MHG]

This stuff worked wonders for my tank...

[brandon429]

Cliff you know Im trying to extrapolate known effects of AF into some kind of explanation for how peroxide works and has minor selectivity, at least between nitrifiers and X target just a reach lol.

[nam2212]

I have been using it for about 10 doses so far. After vaccuming out the majority of the existing GHA I have seen very little regrowth. The only problem I have noticed is that a cleaner shrimp and a peppermint shrimp died within 2 days of the first dose. I have had both shrimp for as long as my tank has been cycled. Other than that I ave noticed my zoas have slowly started to close and not reopen. I haven't had time to read through the entire thread but has anyone else had similar problems?

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by nam2212

I have been using it for about 10 doses so far. After vaccuming out the majority of the existing GHA I have seen very little regrowth. The only problem I have noticed is that a cleaner shrimp and a peppermint shrimp died within 2 days of the first dose. I have had both shrimp for as long as my tank has been cycled. Other than that I ave noticed my zoas have slowly started to close and not reopen. I haven't had time to read through the entire thread but has anyone else had similar problems?

I believe we have had a few incidences of lost shrimp. There has been a lost sea cucumber. Zoas have reacted by closing when AF is dosed. How they relate is impossible to say for sure, but IMHO, should take precautions with expensive shrimp, crabs and sea cucumbers. Zoas, usually survive OK from my recollections.

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by brandon429

Cliff you know Im trying to extrapolate known effects of AF into some kind of explanation for how peroxide works and has minor selectivity, at least between nitrifiers and X target just a reach lol.

Personally I would not try to extrapolate a comparison between AF and peroxide.

It is my understanding that AF works by reacting differently than peroxide does with the outer cell wall of not only algae but all exterior surfaces of cells.

Peroxide is a strong oxidizer which breakes down most organic substances at high enough levels. Trying to determine the safe point for peroxide is difficult to accomplish IMHO. All exterior cell membranes of organisms are not constructed the same. Different proteins are present as well as other chemicals like in the case of diatoms, silicon components. Therefore peroxide can react differently for each organism it comes in contact with.

If peroxide which is considered a biocide as well as AF, were safe to use in a reef tank or freshwater aquarims as well as ponds, you would think the manufacturers would choose it as an algaecide in aquariums since it is relatively cheap to make. On the other hand, AF is much more expensive to make. I'm sure the manufacturer tested quite a few chemicals before they decided on using AF. IMHO, this should tell us something.

Still many hobbyists have used perioxide over the years to control alage in ponds, fresh water aquariums and in your case in reef tanks successfully. As a last resort, I might try it as well, but hobbyists need to be warned about its dangers when using it. There is not a lot of room for error and few reef tank occupants have been properly tested scientifically as to how they deal with the peroxide.

[chilled_fire]

Hi all,

Was just going throught this thread which has been very helpful.
Currently i have GHA issues, and just ordered algaefix.
Apart from all the corals and fish in my 15gallontank and 10 gallon refugium.
I have a cleaner shrimp and pistol shrimp.
Should i be worried about them if I am using this product ?
Plz advise ?

[bertoni]

To Reef Central

Those animals all should be fine.

[chilled_fire]

thank you !

I will try to scrub the rocks this weekend , if that doesnot work , will start dosing.

[MHG]

Originally Posted by chilled_fire

Hi all,

Was just going throught this thread which has been very helpful.
Currently i have GHA issues, and just ordered algaefix.
Apart from all the corals and fish in my 15gallontank and 10 gallon refugium.
I have a cleaner shrimp and pistol shrimp.
Should i be worried about them if I am using this product ?
Plz advise ?

No problem in my tank with inverts. Dont overdose...

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck! I hope the scrubbing does the job.

[96p993]

For those of you who have used the product

Has anyone used this long term? I know the directions talk about a maintenance schedule but have seen several talked about killing cheato after 10-12 doses

[terri_ann]

Has anyone dosed Prodibio's BioDigest and Bioptim while using AlgaeFix? I'm wondering if the Prodibio might be affected?

[Johnic]

Not sure if this is a form of hair algae...its starting to take over the tank. I want to use Algae Fix asap if so.

[HighlandReefer]

Not sure what algae you have there. AF may work, but does not kill all forms of what people refer to as hair algae.

[aimmia]

just used the Algefix marine and wow does it work great.

[terri_ann]

Originally Posted by terri_ann

Has anyone dosed Prodibio's BioDigest and Bioptim while using AlgaeFix? I'm wondering if the Prodibio might be affected?

Anyone?

[bertoni]

Sorry, I haven't used any of the above.

[terri_ann]

Okay Jonathan. I was hoping someone had had the experience. I was thinking with the die-off of the algae and the subsequent nutrient spikes that maybe starting the Prodibio now might help? I didn't want to introduce the BioDigest especially if the AF has a harmful effect on the bacteria...I'll wait to begin dosing after I get to a maintenance dose Thanks for the response as I wasn't sure if you or Cliff had seen my question

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Sorry I can't help!

[HighlandReefer]

Originally Posted by terri_ann

Okay Jonathan. I was hoping someone had had the experience. I was thinking with the die-off of the algae and the subsequent nutrient spikes that maybe starting the Prodibio now might help? I didn't want to introduce the BioDigest especially if the AF has a harmful effect on the bacteria...I'll wait to begin dosing after I get to a maintenance dose Thanks for the response as I wasn't sure if you or Cliff had seen my question

I saw your post and hoped someone with experience would chime in.

Hobbyists including myself have kept using carbon sources while dosing AF without problems. I noted good bacteria numbers in my skimmate during this time. Obviously bacteria will reproduce during use of AF. However, AF can act on bacterial. With the low numbers of bacteria in these additives (relative to those in your tank), perhaps adding bacterial sources would not be a good idea during AF dosing. I don't think it would hurt anything, but may kill these suspended bacterial you try to introduce.

Using carbon sources may be a good thing during AF use.

[rgulrich]

Been using AF for about a month now, and it seems to be working slowly but surely.
FYI, I do have two urchins (I believe Tripneustes gratilla, but not sure) that seem to be "stunned" every time I dose. They extend their legs into the current, and if they are on the rock or a hanging on the glass, fall off. Recovery is within about an hour or so. Other than that, all shrimp, hermit crabs, and feather dusters, etc seem fine.
Thanks for the experience of all the folks who have contributed to this thread so far!
Cheers,
Ray