General Care Discussion :: Algea Fix

[GunnerMan]

Well we have been using Benficial Bacteria, barley Extract and on occasion AlgeaFix in the hot summer days when algea bloom can start to get out of hand. The Algeafix claims it is safe for reptiles and fish and it is fine for the fish but will me res be ok with it?

[DavidY]

If it says it's safe for reptiles and fish then it should be fine for your RES. Turtles are much tougher than fish. I think there are others on here who also use similar products to combat algae blooms with no ill effects.

[GunnerMan]

Thanks David, since our pond gets quite a bit of sun it is a great place for string algea to grow. Algeafix really helps keep it under controll, just did not want to end up taking a res to the vet because I poisoned it.

[DavidY]

Yea, it's always better safe than sorry. Personally I've always tried to stick with natural solutions if at all possible, avoiding any chemicals if I can. But sometimes we have no choice seeing how we're trying to use artificial means to replicate what has already been perfected in nature. I think if you follow the directions and maybe use a little less than manufacturer recommendations (they always want us to use more = buy more) then you should be okay.

[Twoster]

what exactly causes algae to form anyone?..ive seen dirty tanks, stained up with residue and green algae all over things..i always keep my tank clean as possible, but i do see these little, whitish-clearish, tiny, almost mushroom looking things forming on the glass..maybe they arent shaped like mushrooms, but i can see that they can sway in the water..algae?..or what?(i had plecos, but i returned them because they poop ALOT!!!!..but this bigger snail does a great job!..and he doesnt bother anyone, and im not sure how he poops, but i know theres not as much as the plecos!ha)

[DavidY]

Algae are the most basic form of single celled plant life. They grow in water where ever there is light and nutrients. Most algae are actually beneficial as they consume waste and produce oxygen during the day when fish and turtles are most active. At night when they are all asleep (and using less oxygen) the algae consume some oxygen and product carbon dioxide and grow.

The biggest contributor to algae growth is light. The more light, the more algae. Confining the tank lighting to just over the basking dock will help keep algae growth to a minimum. Having a tank in a bright room with a lot of windows will contribute to greater growth. It doesn't even have to be direct sunlight.

Some algae is fine and even healthy, but too much can make the tank ugly. Free floating algae can turn the water green like pea soup and that is a sign of excessive waste and nutrients in the water. Too much algae like that will also deplete the tank water of oxygen during the night which could kill off the beneficial bacteria (which require a lot of oxygen to convert the ammonia and nitrite waste).

[Twoster]

thanks davidY!

[Holiday Rambler]

Also keep the water moving.I have full sunlight but two waterfalls keep the water moving.Green on the walls of the pond or hoses is o.k. as long as the water is clear.
Read an article recently that said never use an algecide,cause the dead algea just becomes food for the new algea.
I think they are right.

[Twoster]

alright thanks!, i havent had any green algaes yet, dont really want any either, lol, ill let the snail do the cleaning until i do water changes, or if its just gets too ugly!..

[tinkersumx]

I used AlgaeFix in my pond with my RES, koi, and goldfish. They were all fine, just make sure you keep your pump running 24 hours a day. I used half the recommended dosage and it cleared up in about a week.

[marisa]

You also could buy some aquatic plants (water hyancinth and duckweed are good) to cover the surface, which would lessen the amount of light the water gets (and help keep the temp down) and help keep down the amount of algae that forms.

[GunnerMan]

Thanjks all, yes we try and cover our pond in plants, our pump runs 24/7 all year and has 1800 GPH pump rating. Our pond is in full sun most of the day besides a small spot of shade made by a tree. As the tree gets bigger more shade. We halso have a large very shallow almost beach area that has a lot of water flow but is still shallow and is a great place to heat up water, a great algea breeding area. I figured the res would love it up there but I think it is to shallow for them to feel very secure yet in their new home, they spend most of their time basking on rock by the Bull Rush or a rock by the Cattails.

[DavidY]

Read an article recently that said never use an algecide,cause the dead algea just becomes food for the new algea.
I think they are right.

That's a good point. I remember now reading something similar. It will increase the bioload on your system so be prepared to do a large water change after using it. The algae may not grow back right away (because of the aglaecide) but the excess nutrients will still be there. A large water change will help remove a lot of it.