How do you feel about this chemical?

[fentgphx]

I've been running into a lot of issues with algae lately, (mostly due to me keeping the lighting on for too long--now I have a timer) and decided to pick up something called "Algae Destroyer Advanced." Got it at PETCO. On the back of the bottle, though, I noticed it mentions that it's a cancer causing chemical that is hazardous to humans and domestic animals.

Think that's a bit much for a little bit of algae control? I don't generally use long aquarium gloves when vacuuming or otherwise in the aquarium, and If I was using this chemical, It proably would be a good idea.

Mostly what I'm looking for is anyone who has been through the same issue, or uses a similar chemical.

 

[TipStylez]

My guess is, after the sentence stated: This prodouct contails a chemical that is known to caused cancer in the state of cali. You can about find that thing anywhere, mostly on auto related chemicals. I been working on cars and half of the prodoucts that are used these days has that warning, no one i know has cancer or there hands fell off, Just dont drink it or anything and rember to wash your hands with soap once your done and you will be fine.

-Q

 

[Victor]

i like to avoid using chemicals at all cost. The only chemical I use in my tank is water conditioner.

I think it's best if you just got an algae eating fish like a pleco of a chinese algae eater. I had a tank full of algae once and once i put in a chinese algae eater he had my tank cleaned up the next morning

 

[sky.eyes.woman]

It's really a good idea to try and figure out WHY you have an algae problem...too much light? Keep it off for 12 hours+ at night. High nitrate? More water changes, less food. Algae Destroyer can sometimes destroy your fish too, and it won't fix the reason the algae is getting out of control.

 

[daveedka]

The california cancer warning is a big Joke IMO. According to the State of Clifornia,Saliva causes cancer but only if swallowed in small quantities repeatedly of an extended period


I do however avoid Chemicals in my tank. Especially algea detroyers. they tend to end up causing problems of one sort or another. Finding the cause as mentioned will be a better long termoption. The chemical fix will not prevent return outbreaks, and will create a dependancy even if it has no other side effects.

three of my tanks are 100% algae free due to the existance of Red Ramshorn snails. I work very hard to create algea in these tanks in order to get the snails to reproduce, but still cannot get algea to grow visibly when they are there. There is also a sticky in the planted tank forum with a lot of reviews on algae eating fish. In a clean tank, these critters can keep things pristine if they fit into your stocking scheme.

dave

 

[judgemax]

my dad tried that product with little help ...it didnt really work ...and as for the cancer causing warning most studies that can proclaim things like that are in a labrotory setting usually injecting larger amounts than any humon will ever consume in a rat or mouse ...and again thatis injecting it ito the animal...most of these research projects have never studied on human genetics and only go by closed studies ..omho...lab rats and mice tend to get cancer quite a bit ,,,geee i wonder if it has anything to do with being held captive and tourterd on a daily basis not to mention being bred only for scientific study.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

I don't care if it is a small amount of a carcinogen and that it only causes cancer in big quantities. I don't want even the tiniest fraction of a carcinogen in my body. Many of these chemicals stay in your body. Human Beings in the Western world have hundreds of chemicals in their bodies by adulthood that are totally artificial and often harmful. I would avoid harsh chemicals to begin with but if it is a confirmed cancer-causing agent, u'd have to be stupid to use it just because you have an algae problem. Algae is easily kept under control naturally.

 

[RobP]

ive only found one produt to get rid of alge in my tanks. that product is made by aquarium pharmcuticals its called cyrstal clear use it as directed but they dont say anything about your filters. the only way to get the alge to go away is to rinse your filters every 24 hours and repeat until alge is gone. this will work!!! my tank looked like it was full of mello yellow and after a couple treatments it was perfect. if the alge does for some reason return take your filters off and clean them out, then take the lids of and clean them too somthing may be spawning this kind of alge.

 

[Larissa]

I agree with whoever said it , everything seems to cause cancer in the state of cali. As for the algae destroyer stuff, I used it once when I had a seriously bad algal(sp.) bloom. I kept doing water changes and it was just getting worse. You couldn't even see the fish. So I used the stuff and it cleared it up. If I've got algae on plants and sides of the tank then that's different. I use my scrubber and do a partial water change. I think that the town I was living in at the time must have had high phosphates in their water because I fought algae the whole time I lived there and the tank wasn't anywhere near a window.