Algae Control

[JDanneker]

I have a 72 Gallon tanks with 90 #s of live rock that has been running for ~2 years. Over time, algae has been building up and I am trying to control this better. I've tested the water and have low <2.5 Nitrates and 0 Phosphates.

I have a weak clean up crew and have started to replenish. Recently I was on-line and saw an ad to API's Algaefix Marine.

Has anyone used or heard of this product before? If so, what were your results or what have you heard?

[GregAW]

I read the reviews on MarineDepot.com and it sounds like it should work very well.

[JDanneker]

Thanks, I use API's Stress Coat. I believe it is one of the better companies to buy products from. Is that your experience?

[GregAW]

I'm just getting back into the hobby so I'm doing a lot of research. My 90 gal, bow front is sitting on the driveway waiting for me to make room in the living room. One of these days soon I'll get it started... a few weeks out yet. Where are you located?

[JDanneker]

I guess this product has had limited use thus far. Good luck on your start up and let us know how it is progressing. I live in New England. Hope your not an Angels fan....

Take care.

[Reefscape]

I would not be buying products to control plague algae. You need to find the source of the nutrients, and stop it there. The probable reason you experience low nutrient level test results in your tank is because the plague algae has already absorbed the nutrients, hence the low reading.

Check your readings on your source water before it goes into the aquarium. Do you use Ro water or tap?

[JDanneker]

Reefscape, I do use well water or tap water. I do not test it everytime I use it, but have tested multiple times over the last couple of years. I have not found any nitrates or phosphates in the source water thus far. The test kits I use are API. I do use the same test kits for the fresh water as I do for my saltwater tank. Could this be an issue? Thanks for the reply.

[Amphiprion]

No, the well water/tap water is definitely one issue. Regardless of whether your tests may pick up on those concentrations, usually they are high enough in tap/well water to influence extra algal growth (i.e. in addition to what would occur due to the nutrients being released in the tank to begin with).