Brown Algae everywhere!

bettababy

In this kind of situation, that could get quite expensive. When the problem is based on poor quality source water, that would mean the algae treatments would be never ending... and the tank water would be toxic!

The danger in treating something like this with Algone or Algaefix....
The problem is in the source water, in this case it has a high nitrate level. Everytime a water change happens, the nitrate level goes up further. The algae is just the sign that there is a problem... nature's way of using up that nutrient level. If we put in a chemical to kill the algae, what happens to the nitrate level? Suddenly there is nothing to eat it up, and with every water change it goes higher and higher... until what? A dead fish. The only way to "fix" this problem is to take care of the nutrient level in the source water.
That is the difference between treating symptoms and treating the problem that is causing the symptoms.

Dave66

Thank you, BB. Articulated my thoughts perfectly.

Dave

fish_4_all

Well from the decription of Algone and the tetimony from members who have used it, it does remove excess nutrients and restores nutrient balance. If it does, then why would it not work not only to eliminate the alge but also reomve the cause?

I have never used anything to remove green water but when I have heard several members who say they use it to get rid of green water and have done so for years the product must do something right!.

Algone Website:
http://www.algone.com/

Andyandsue

I had a similar problem. My cure was a phosphate lowering floss and the addition of Algone, if and when I get a breakout of algae. Algone is a non-chemical algae reducer, just a pouch added to the filter basket works like a charm. It's not available at chain stores though. You need to go to LFS to purchase it. I still limit the lighting to less than 10 hours a day and I always wipe the interior of the glass at every weekly water change, but that has all worked like a charm.

No toxic water, no long-lasting problems. My tap has high phosphates so the phosphate lowering floss keeps everything at bay. The Algone did what it was supposed to do, and I tapered off so as not to create some other imbalance.

okiemavis

I've never used Algone before, but I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'm a huge proponent of not using chemicals whenever possible, but algone does actually seem like a good solution in this case.

Andyandsue

Algone isn't actually a chemical. It's nothing but "dried plants in a pouch" and they claim some microorganisms. No chemicals though. The only chemical I've ever used is water conditioner, which now that I think of it I've heard that overuse of that can cause algae and bacterial bloom.

Togiran

Do you think that Algone would work in my case?

Andyandsue

Yup! I sure do. It does take a few days though so keep that in mind.

I would also consider getting some phosphate removing filter media.

Continue doing water changes too. Everyday if you have to.

okiemavis

Andy&sue- I just wanted to correct you about the water changes. I believe the problem is that the tap water comes out with such high nitrates, so frequent water changes would further feed the problem.

Andyandsue

Maybe, but without testing.... I tested mine and the nitrates were 0 from the tap.