Api Algaefix

[BigBeginner]

Does anyone have any experience, has used, read, or comments about this product?

I have a huge case of cyano in my 55 gal and i know i shouldn't resort to chemicals, and i didnt plan to, but my dad came home with this stuff today so i decided to ask and see if its worth trying, i have tried everything including reduced feedings, reduced light, water changes, and manual removal but it hasn't stopped, only things i havn't tried (that was recommended) is:

-getting a skimmer (too expensive atm)
-rowaphos or other phosphate removing media (there are NONE at any of my LFS. EXCEPT seachem phosgaurd but i was told that any white and pebble like phosphate remover media was junk, although the person at my LFS swears that she has used it and it works for her)
-and livestock such as astraeas because i cant find them at my LFS's either (BUT i have some astraeas in my 8 gal which is starting to get cyano and they havn't touched the stuff)

Should i try the seachem phosgaurd?

The bottle says it won't affect any corals, fish, inverts, OR coralline algae and is supposed to control "Red Slime" (Oscillatoria / Spirulina Major) algae, "Brown" algae, and "Green" algae

Also i wouldn't mind using it in my 8 gal because i have all three of these algaes

I could just start with a small dose and see what happens

All comments are welcomed and thanked

 

[SkiFletch]

It rarely hurts everything but only treats the symptom, not the cause of the problem. Its like if your neighbor is blaring music and you go out and buy noise cancelling headphones. Sure you're not disturbed anymore, but the problem still exists. Don't skimp on treatments, do what's reccomended. You don't want to risk creating an antibiotic resistant strain of cyano

 

[BigBeginner]

i guess, so what else can i do to stop my cyano?

 

[SkiFletch]

My only other reccomendation would be a hang on refugium if you can't afford a skimmer.

Edit, what's your input water source? Tap? RO? Other?

 

[BigBeginner]

other, its the water you buy from the store for the home water fountains in the blue 5 gallon jugs, the water info thing says its put through RO and a bunch of other steps

and i dont thing hang on refuge will help or be possible. i have a VERY large chunk of chaeto sitting in the tank. 1/2 covered in cyano though lol

 

[rabbut]

Increasing flow or oxygen levels can also be seen to help in some case of Cyno...

 

[BigBeginner]

i tried pointing the powerheads at the cyano and it didnt help and there is ALOT of surface movement

 

[SkiFletch]

Out of curiousity have you ever tested the TDS of the water you're using (or brought a sample to someone whom you know locally)? In my experience, most store-bought water is less than reliable in terms of it's purity claims...

 

[BigBeginner]

uhm whats TDS?

 

[rabbut]

TDS = Total Disolved Solids, basically a measure of how much rubbish is in your water

 

[BigBeginner]

how do i get that tested?

 

[SkiFletch]

An LFS that makes RO water likely has a TDS meter to test it. You can also buy one (they're cheap) off ebay.

 

[BigBeginner]

k

so any other ways to stop my cyano or other comments on this stuff?

 

[mutantbigman2000]

If the cyano is across the substrate then you can try siphoning it off.

I think we have all had a cyano out break during our cycling or early stages.

Mine was rampant for a few weeks then just seemed to disappear.

I would keep up with water changes but get the water checked.

 

[BigBeginner]

this tank is a little over a year old and it just started getting bad about 2 months ago

all stats are normal except my kits are giving different reading on nitrate, but im guessing its not 0 either way

and ill try to get the TDS figured out, whats good for TDS?

do you think some phosphate removing media and/or carbon would help? even if it does i cant find any around here, but i was just wondering

skimmers are out of the question right now, so are livestock

so far i've got:
manually remove most of it
water changes
and check TDS

is that all i can do?