API AlgaeFix?

[The Zigman]

Alright, I have had it with this FREAKING algae.

I put my lights on a timer... :headshake2: more algae. turned the lights off... more algae. added co2 WHOA!!! tons of algae..:mad2: I want it gone. I scraped a tone of it off the glass (its hair algae BTW) but it is still all over the plants and driftwood. :cry: All of my vals deid I'm guessing from this stuff. My swords and temples are covered in hair algae. :1zhelp:


this API Algaefix says its safe for planted tanks with fish, Anyone use this stuff?
http://aquariumpharm.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=52

 

[jmhart]

I haven't used it, but...

I have to doubt the ability of any chemical to kill algae but not plants.

What dosing regiment do you have? Algae can sometimes develop due to lack of nutrients in the water, not just excess nutrients.

Have you tried a three day blackout?

 

[The Zigman]

i have only used flourish comprehensive, (not excel). Usually only 2 capfulls twice a week in the 125 gal tank. left the light off for like 2 days. not 3 though.

 

[gooseman_25]

I've used it....it's not good for planted tanks...and don't use it if you have crustations

 

[Squawkbert]

Flourish Excel will put a dent in it. For a 125g I'd try 15-20mL 2x-3x/week. Bump it up from there if needed, keeping in mind that mosses, hydrocotyles, and some vals don't like it.

 

[jmhart]

If you have a high light tank( over 2 wpg) and co2 you need to be adding a full regiment of fertilizers, NPK + traces. As I said, unfeeding the plants can also allow for an algae outbreak. It's all about balance. Don't go too high, but you can't go too low either.

On the blackout, it's not just about turning the lights off. Cover the tank completely. Take whatever blankets you have in the house and cover it, block out all possible sources of light. Leave it like this for at least 72 hours. Mine was more like 80 hours or something. Don't unwrap, not even to feed the fish.

After doing this, do a 50% WC and then overdose with Flourish Excel. That should help.

But also, get your nutrients in order.

 

[The Zigman]

this pitch blackness wont sress the fish?
what about the plants in the tank?

I have 2 CF lamps, 6700K sunpak ultra daylights 92 watts ea... not over 2 wpg
and co2 at about 180 bubs/min. I have been doing only Flourish comprehensive 2 capfuls every other day (instructions say twice per week) Whats NPK? What do I need?

AHHHHHH:nilly::swear:

 

[jmhart]

Sorry to get back to you late, I've been out of town.

The blackout won't stress the fish and the plants will be fine. ~3 days is too short to hurt the plants but just long enough to hurt the algae.

Check out www.rexgrigg.com, read the nutrients/fertilizers section. That'll describe to you what you need in terms of fertilizers. It's an interesting read and very helpful.

 

[grannylvsfish]

Flourish excel took out all the algae in my little 10 gallon the first dose yep my sponge was full, and 1 day later it was gone, I mean clear! do the excel, you may be suprised.