Algae Fix killing our fish!?

[soamtank]

I totally agree with Miles. I'm not saying anyone else is wrong at all, but I think Miles has really taken a lot of things into account. Seems like Algae-Fix would do exactly what it says it does, and thats it. But when it does that, theres other things that happen as a chain reaction. Too bad Algae-Fix doesn't say that on the bottle.

Whenever I use Algae-Fix, I usually do a 25% water change immediately after the water is clear. I usually don't have to do repeat uses after that, like the label suggests. Just one dose, then a water change. No problems and no green water!

I don't like to use it though, its cheaper and easier to just use preventative maintenance to stop algae before it grows.

 

[Jag1980]

Seems like Algae-Fix would do exactly what it says it does, and thats it. But when it does that, theres other things that happen as a chain reaction. Too bad Algae-Fix doesn't say that on the bottle.

That's my main concern is the labeling.
Probably about 75% of the fish keepers that would use a product like this aren't education enough on the chemical changes in water when you add things to the tank like algae fix and how it will effect the water in such a way.
It says fixes algae problems and is fish safe and that is it, no special instruction after that. Now something that can be this toxic to our pets should have a more detailed labeling I would think.

I didn't know, I even asked people at the pet store and they said it was totally safe and just add it to the tank... Seems like allot of people don't know and only really notice a problem after your pets die like the why I found out.
On human medicine it give warning on the label like don't take this product if you are nursing or have asthma or taking aspirin or whatever else yada yada yada not just take with water and your safe.. and info on some products will list some common side affects.

I couldn't use plants in my tank because I only had 17 watts in my 29 gallon tank. I was getting a very fast growth of dark green blanket algae and coral algae on the glass. So I bought a fish safe product and this is what happen. Other than this product I don't have fish health problem, never had Ick or any other diseases, I still have my first fish I bought about 6 years ago and never been sick with anything.

 

[Finalfire9]

Umm algea fix is a posion why would you put that in your tank do you honestly think that a chemical is gonna kill your algea and not your fish? HAHA are you ready forthis? theres a natural cure to anything thats happening in your tank!!! To much algea? buy some snails and reduce your light timer to 3 or 4 hours a day

 

[ryverrat]

I have used algaecide in the manner Miles spoke about and had no problems. I removed all the decoration (soaked it in a tote with algaecide and hot water- cleaned, rinsed before putting back in tank) and added the recommended dose. I did read the label on the Tetra version- it recommends being prepared to remove the algae once it is dead to prevent deterioration of water quality. I added 2 bubble wands and turned the temp down 4 degrees (cooler water holds more oxygen). I also removed the biowheels from filter and wrapped them in damp paper towel. As soon as the green was out of the water, I did a 75% water change and put all the decorations back in. Didn't even lose the snails in the tank (also have kuhli loaches, angles, catfish with no problems). Only ever had to do this once and have not had green water since (water was a result of missing 2 water changes- family problems/finals at school had me too busy). Most of the problems are likely due to not removing the algae once it is dead. Your filter is not going to do it quick enough (if at all) and the combination of reduced oxygen and ammonia will kill the fish quick.

 

[IKeepPacu]

im another to add to the list. i had terrible algae about 2 years ago, and tried the algae-fix. i ended up losing an ENTIRE tank of cichlids, none of them overly sensitive mind you, excepting 2 pacu and 2 dempseys. even tho i had followed the directions to a T, they all went within a week or so of using that HORRIBLE product.

 

[Bderick67]

So alot of people lost fish after using this product. But did it get rid of the algae?

 

[IKeepPacu]

So alot of people lost fish after using this product. But did it get rid of the algae?

yes, but i would have rathered keep the algae and the fish stay alive

i think miles had a wonderful explanation of all this. too bad if this is the case, the algae-fix cant include one stupid extra line on it like "Perform a 25% wc XX of days after using product, and again XX days after again"

would save alot of fish, and not have threads like this with us saying it killed our fish.

 

[babybetta]

I have a little algae issue on my 100 gallon tank. I bought algaefix and after reading this thread, I will return this product and I am not going to use it. It looks like 50/50 chance for the fish to die or survive. I believe, it is depending on your fish tank condition that is why some people do not have a problem. I agreed 100% this product should be banned. If some people have problems and some don't, then be smart do not try the product at all, otherwise you you will be regreted loosing your expensive investment.

 

[gt1009]

I have had a lot of experience with the pond version of this product when I worked at an LFS. You NEED to have all the aeration you can get, otherwise you will lose the oxygen in your water.

 

[kirk flesher]

looks like i've waited way to long to find discussion about algefix, and some of the problems some of you have been experiencing.

i have a 4200 gal koi/goldfish pond, i have used several products over the yrs with good and bad results. about 10 yrs ago i did use algaefix, and it worked well, with no adverse affect on my fish (or at least i dont remember) but at that time the cost for the product was too much (1-2 16 oz. bot. were used)

since then my wife and i decided to give algaefix another try, because we did like the results, and the cost was affordable now. so at the beginning of last yr i started using algaefix, with great results. but everytime i dosed my pond, my fish became somewhat sick? so last week i was on my last 2 doses, and ordered another 2.5gal.

but what happened last wk, and after reading all these post will direct me to another product for algae control.

when i dosed my pond as i usually do, the following day 1 of my 5yr old 14inch koi, and 1 of my 14yr old 10 comet was acting just as JAG1980 described......panic attack, rolling over then floating. i removed both fish immediately to some fresh water (30-45 min to return to normal)

i then drained the smaller of the 2 ponds (4200gal total) washed it, and filled with fresh water, transferred 17 fish to the clean pond. drained the larger pond refilled with fresh water and restared everything back up , and all was good with them.

UNTIL!!!!!!!.....i wasent able to remove all the algae spores when cleaning the ponds, so the algae returned very quickly, and the abnormal hot weather we've been having didnt help either.

so i dosed my pond on friday with the last algaefix i had (and ordered another 2.5gal) and sure enough........yesterday a 2yr old 8inch koi was having one of them panic attacks.

(clarification....when i say 2yr old, i've had the fish for that long. so i really dont know the real age)

so at this point i still wasent convinced i was the algaefix causing my problem with my fish. i removed the poor little guy to fresh water, and he was fine. i then returned him to the pond, and about 3hrs later he was showing signs of more panicking.

i then swapped out 50% of the water at 3 am this morning, and they seem to be doing a little better now.

i lost but only 2 fish so far over this most recent incident. my new shipment of algaefix will be here tomorrow and ready for use. anyone interested in it?
and tomorrow ans soon as the green bay wisconsin fish store opens, i will be looking for another product for algae control. any suggestions?

i'm still not sure algaefix is my cause to my water quality problem, but i'm not willing to find out anymore.......sorry guys (fish)

thanks to all of you's for posting the info you did!!