What are filamentous algaes? And Algaefix Marine?

rsteagall · 01/10/2008, 01:07 PM

What are the most common filamentous algae? And which are the most common that are NOT filamentous algae?

I'm just trying to make sure what I'd be tackling if I tried the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Algaefix Marine product.

I'm on the tail end of a PO4 problem and it seems like the hair algae and maybe a little bryopsys is still hanging on for dear life. I still don't have PO4 to 0ppm yet, but as its going down... it seems like the hair algae is having a growth bloom! After I can test my PO4 to 0ppm or close to it, I was thinking about trying this product out.

Anyway... a list of common filamentous and non-filamentous algae would be nice as well as anyone's experience with API Algaefix Marine.

http://aquariumpharm.com/en_us/index.asp
http://www.marsfishcare.com/

That is their site(s).

I called them and they said their relaunching their site in Feb. This was their explanation why this particular product isn't listed.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ryan

piercho · 01/11/2008, 02:39 PM

Hi Ryan I graduated Oakland High School in the 'boro, 1981. A hair algae is not a specific term, and is used to describe any finely filamented algae. Derbesia and Bryopsis are common algae in reef tanks and the most likely to be called "hair" algae.

Algaefix is dimethyliminoethylene dichloride and ethoxylate. Its meant for use in freshwater tanks. I'm no chemist but IMO it is potentially harmful to reef invertebrates and perhaps some of your fish. Control of algae in reef tanks is primarily through limiting the nutrient supply, providing directed nutrient uptake (harvested algae in refugia), and grazers. Some reefers use methods that enhance bacterial uptake of nutrients such as vodka dosing and "zeo" products. Things that kill plants directly have the potential to kill some coral, as well, due to the dinoflagelate algae some coral host within their tissue.

If you want to try chemical control of algae research the product Boyd's Chemi-clean, which is intended for marine aquariums and I know has been used in some reef aquariums housing sensitive coral. http://www.aquariumpros.com/p-BOY16714.html It appears to be a potent oxidizer so I would be cautious in using it and ask or search around on other boards (like the general board or the SPS board) about experience using it in tanks with coral.

billsreef · 01/12/2008, 10:52 AM

Had a little time to do some searching. I wouldn't add this stuff to a reef tank. In fact I'd have serious doubts in adding to a FW tank.

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/List_Aq...Rec_Id=PC34167

rsteagall · 01/12/2008, 12:42 PM

Oakland graduate... cool... I got out of Riverdale in 1993.

No. The product I'm speaking of is their new product for MARINE usage. It is different than their product for FW.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html

It also is "EPA-registered as reef-safe", whatever that means.

One of our LFS's gave a bottle to a friend and he's about one week into the treatment. I've not seen his tank, but from what he says... it appears to be working by turning the algae white/clear.

However, the product I'm mentioning and he is using is definitely for reef tank usage and not their FW product.

billsreef · 01/12/2008, 12:52 PM

Check the ingredients on your friends bottle. I know a couple of years ago their customer service told a friend of mine that even though the FW version (only version at the time) was "safe" in marine tanks, even though it wasn't labeled that way. BTW I'm not aware of the the EPA certifying products for aquariums.

rsteagall · 01/12/2008, 02:29 PM

I'll try to check the ingredients. What should I be looking for?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...ix&btnG=Search

Everywhere that sells algaefix... either for marine or fw say that.

billsreef · 01/12/2008, 05:17 PM

Look at the ingredients, and than look them up. It would be great if you could post them for us all to see. They may be different than FW one, but might not be. As for the EPA bit, it is likely an EPA registered pesticide and the marketers are stretching that a bit a trying to spin it has a good thing.

01/10/2008, 01:07 PM	#1
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	What are filamentous algaes? And Algaefix Marine? What are the most common filamentous algae? And which are the most common that are NOT filamentous algae? I'm just trying to make sure what I'd be tackling if I tried the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Algaefix Marine product. I'm on the tail end of a PO4 problem and it seems like the hair algae and maybe a little bryopsys is still hanging on for dear life. I still don't have PO4 to 0ppm yet, but as its going down... it seems like the hair algae is having a growth bloom! After I can test my PO4 to 0ppm or close to it, I was thinking about trying this product out. Anyway... a list of common filamentous and non-filamentous algae would be nice as well as anyone's experience with API Algaefix Marine. http://aquariumpharm.com/en_us/index.asp http://www.marsfishcare.com/ That is their site(s). I called them and they said their relaunching their site in Feb. This was their explanation why this particular product isn't listed. Thoughts? Thanks, Ryan

01/11/2008, 02:39 PM	#2
piercho Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 2,194	Hi Ryan I graduated Oakland High School in the 'boro, 1981. A hair algae is not a specific term, and is used to describe any finely filamented algae. Derbesia and Bryopsis are common algae in reef tanks and the most likely to be called "hair" algae. Algaefix is dimethyliminoethylene dichloride and ethoxylate. Its meant for use in freshwater tanks. I'm no chemist but IMO it is potentially harmful to reef invertebrates and perhaps some of your fish. Control of algae in reef tanks is primarily through limiting the nutrient supply, providing directed nutrient uptake (harvested algae in refugia), and grazers. Some reefers use methods that enhance bacterial uptake of nutrients such as vodka dosing and "zeo" products. Things that kill plants directly have the potential to kill some coral, as well, due to the dinoflagelate algae some coral host within their tissue. If you want to try chemical control of algae research the product Boyd's Chemi-clean, which is intended for marine aquariums and I know has been used in some reef aquariums housing sensitive coral. http://www.aquariumpros.com/p-BOY16714.html It appears to be a potent oxidizer so I would be cautious in using it and ask or search around on other boards (like the general board or the SPS board) about experience using it in tanks with coral. __________________ Howard Current Tank Info: 65G reef shut down 2007. 25G planted.

01/12/2008, 10:52 AM	#3
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Had a little time to do some searching. I wouldn't add this stuff to a reef tank. In fact I'd have serious doubts in adding to a FW tank. http://www.pesticideinfo.org/List_Aq...Rec_Id=PC34167 __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/12/2008, 12:42 PM	#4
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	Oakland graduate... cool... I got out of Riverdale in 1993. No. The product I'm speaking of is their new product for MARINE usage. It is different than their product for FW. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html It also is "EPA-registered as reef-safe", whatever that means. One of our LFS's gave a bottle to a friend and he's about one week into the treatment. I've not seen his tank, but from what he says... it appears to be working by turning the algae white/clear. However, the product I'm mentioning and he is using is definitely for reef tank usage and not their FW product. __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/12/2008, 12:52 PM	#5
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Check the ingredients on your friends bottle. I know a couple of years ago their customer service told a friend of mine that even though the FW version (only version at the time) was "safe" in marine tanks, even though it wasn't labeled that way. BTW I'm not aware of the the EPA certifying products for aquariums. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/12/2008, 02:29 PM	#6
rsteagall Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rockvale, TN (close to Murfreesboro) Posts: 1,612	I'll try to check the ingredients. What should I be looking for? http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...ix&btnG=Search Everywhere that sells algaefix... either for marine or fw say that. __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: One hand holding a beer, the other in the tank, and my toes typing on the keyboard. Drunks, reefing, and keyboards do mix in a 5GAL bucket with a 1200 MJ!

01/12/2008, 05:17 PM	#7
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Look at the ingredients, and than look them up. It would be great if you could post them for us all to see. They may be different than FW one, but might not be. As for the EPA bit, it is likely an EPA registered pesticide and the marketers are stretching that a bit a trying to spin it has a good thing. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.