Algaefix and Fish Kill

[FreshyFresh]

Sorry to hear about that.

Best I can tell, the active ingredient in Algaefix per API is Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs). If you look that up, per the innerwebs QACs are " a type of chemical that is used to kill bacteria, viruses, and mold. There are many different types of QACs. They are often found in dis- infectants and in cleaning products that are used in places such as hospitals, day care centers, restaurants, and homes. "

To me it sounds like glutaraldehyde. I used glut products a bunch years ago. API, other name brands for aquariums and I even used Metricide. Glut's convoluted way of producing CO2 is a controversy for sure. I never had an issue, even when overdosing, but that was on my setups.

 

[fishorama]

AlgaeFix is dimethyliminoethylene dichloride, ethoxylate not really quite the same as glutaraldehyde.The MSDS sheet says it is harmful to aquatic life ChemWatch MSDS 4658-10 (planetnatural.com) It may be like some things, it depends on dose & sensitivity of "aquatic life". A quick search of glut is an MSDS mostly for people but says toxic & very toxic to aquatic life 340855 (sigmaaldrich.com)

Again, many people have used it at lowish doses for a long time in tanks. It may be Excel is a slightly different chemical than just the form of "glut" in the MSDS I linked. Seachem, of course, doesn't say (it's proprietary, they don't tell). My plant club sells "glut" based on the Tom Barr version. I'm not sure it's exactly the same as Excel but I wouldn't be surprised if TB hadn't tested & gotten at least extremely close & at tanks dosage, pretty safe at correct dosing.

 

[tackful]

Whatever it is, no more for me. Right now the tank is a mess, but I still want to take the time to figure it out. As mentioned, one complication is not knowing how much light the new LED setup is putting out. New wisteria growth is looking pale, so that's one clue.