Algone

[ragc]

This product claims to eliminate algal bloom and other algal problems. It is a small bag you throw in your filter media. Have never seen it in stores, but has its own website (www.algone.com ), and it looks pretty serious. Anyone have any experience with it?

[wastememphis]

Algae happens becuase of phospate levels in your water, there are some products that will "pull" them out of the water, somehow... I'd just find the reason why your getting algae. You can try it though, check to see if a website has reviews on them from customers.

[ragc]

My phosphates come from my top-off water, which is tap water here in Atlanta, GA, USA. I will be getting an RO unit this Christmas so I hope that solves that. Anyway, has anyone used Algone? I am testing it on my tank, and am curious to hear if it worked for others. :help:

[IceH2O]

I know this is a SW post but the Algone is for FW also.

From the site:

What is Algone?
Algone consist of special blend of plant fibers. The effectiveness is based on a biological process, during which naturally present microorganisms contained in Algone use available nitrogen compounds as a source of nutrition. This process is activated as soon as the pouch is submerged in the water. The result of this nutrient uptake is micro bacterial protein enabling Algone to retain the nitrogenous waste while eliminating the re-release into the aquatic environment.
Algone is a natural product that employs a unique, patented method which gently removes nitrates and nitrites, and reduces Ammonia and ammonia and therefore controls algae growth in fresh- and saltwater aquariums.


Let us know how well it works Ragc..but also let us know how it affects your other water parameters.After you use it for however long 1 bag is supposed to work,go a week without it and then see if the Nitrates shoot back up to previous levels.
I'd want to use it to help get back to desired levels,but I don't want to become dependant on anything.

[ragc]

I will let all know how it affects other parameters. I have had it in for 6 days now. Instructions say effects may be measurable in five days, so it's time to test water. One pouch is supposed to be good for up to one month in a 55 gallon setup...mine is 10.

First test results:

Generally unchanged from previous test after one week

pH: previous 8.2 (est) current 8.3 Tetratest kit
NO2: previous <0.3 mg/l current <0.3 mg/l Tetratest kit
KH: previous 16 current 17 Tetratest kit
Ammonia: previous "safe" current "safe" Seachem in-tank wheel
Alk: previous "normal/high" current "normal/high" Red Sea Test Lab

These are the only tests I can run with what I have. My KH has always been this high, and I hope the new RO unit will help that. I have used FreshwaterOne brand freshwater, distilled water and bottled drinking supermarket "RO" water for topping-off and water changes (with Instant Ocean salt in water changes, of course) with no better results. The only change that I consider meaningful is the pH, which at 8.3 is as high as it has ever been. I usually have to fight pH drop to 8.0 and below. This result may be due to my recent switch to Kent Marine pH Buffer from a different product, and not have anything to do with Algone.

After 6 days I have not seen any decrease in algea growth on my glass, nor any increased water clarity...

[ragc]

Just 9 days after Algone in having to cover-up tank again...algal growth too much. Algone not working! Big water change coming this weekend. :(

[ragc]

Went through with a 25% water change using bottled water after covering the tank for 3 days... Changed all my filter media and stuck a new bag of Algone in the power filter... I suspect that I will still have algal bloom when the lights come on tomorrow. I also managed to suck my Condy into the wastewater tank as I was "vacuuming". It does not look good, I hope it will recover. Not a good day :(

[mysis]

IMO, you need a clean up crew, nothing works better then some reef safe hermits and some turbos... I always use chemicals as a last resort.

[joe 09]

i have been using algone for 6 mos.it has cleared my tank and helps to keep my nitrates down. it does work

[ragc]

Well...the Algone is still in the filter, but I added Phos-X after my 20% change using supermarket spring drinking water. My water turned crystal clear in two days! It's beautiful now...

I have a pretty good cleanup crew for a 10 gallon... 8 Nassarius that eat detritus, two astreas that eat diatoms and algae, one pencil urchin that eats detritus and algae, and one bumblebee that has killed my tiny inverts (wish I had known he was a murderer before I got him). Had two hermits (blue-legged and red-legged, but they both died, probably starved - the nassarius stole their food whenever they found it!

I hope to be off chemicals soon, although I don't see any evil in them...

The Condy has not gotten better...probably dead...looks like a lump of lint on the bottom of the tank...

[csloo]

Algone is useful for temporary result.

if ur tank have 20 ppm NO3, it will absorb it fast in just 1 or 2 week...after that, u need to change it again...(if ur No3 above 20ppm, u need to change ur water, else it will not help)

As conclusion, ALGONE is very useful to remove silicate,NO2 and NO3 from ur water. BUt not PO4. U need to get a PO4 remover to remove those algae diatoms and cells inside ur tank. Recommended : Rowaphos and PurePhos.

Seachem, COralife and other product also can be use, but it is aluminium based. That mean when the media is exhausted, it will leak the Al and PO4 back into ur water.

Hope it's help.

[ragc]

These were my first clear water readings. I will test again Saturday and I'm sure the values will be improved. No NO3 test, just a stick-on warning tag on my tank wall...

pH 7.9 (using Kent pH Buffer to raise it)
NO2 below 0.3 mg/l
NO3 "safe" (tag reading)
Alk "normal" (Red Sea brand test kit-no numerical values)
KH 16
PO4 /.5 mg/l
Salinity 32.5 PPT(lowering it gradually)
SG 1.024

A night shot of my pencil urchin under blue LED moonlight...clear water!

[ragc]

pH 8.3
NO2 <0.3 mg/l
NO3 "safe"
Alk normal/high
KH 21
PO4 .5mg/l
Salinity 32.3 PPT
SG 1.024
Temp 80F

I have been using supermarket RO drinking water to replenish. The water remains very clear. Algae is under control. No signs of distress.

Why is my KH going so high? :huh: