A warning about algeacide...

[manadesmalice 5]

So, a couple of years ago I made a post bemoaning a product and it's effect on my ranchu at the time. I nearly killed six ranchu, and did manage to take out four. They were replaced by (name of company shall remain nameless), who also refunded me the cost of the dangerous, poison algeacide I purchased. I followed the directions on the bottle to a tea! My tank had a massive algea bloom and I figured I had to take drastic action. About four hours later, I noticed my ranchu gasping. I quickly got them out and cleaned the tank, and ended up losing four of them. This was no small task to do!

At any rate, skip ahead a few years. I absolutely decimated my tank on a much more epic scale. My elodea, my java moss, my snails, my goldfish, ALL DEAD. It looked like a nuclear holocaust in my 55 gallon tank! Incidentally, the water was pristine, crystal clear! Completely free of the algea bloom which had only recently consumed every thing and made it ugly green! I purchased this algeacide product at the biggest big name competitor of (name of company shall remain nameless). I will say that the first poison was sold to me by a mart, and the second was sold to me by a co.

The second time, it was a white bottle. It required one drop per gallon, so I metiiculously applied 55 drops. It was safe for plants, crusteaceans, fish, etc. BULL HOCK! DON'T EVER BUY ANY SORT OF ALGEACIDE! I have had TWO terrible experiences with it! The best way is to drape a heavy blanket over your tank and let NO light in for a minimum of three days. Of course, turn your lights off! This does not kill any fish, plants, or snails. It puts your tank in a "resting" state, but starves the algea of the light that it needs to survive! I don't want this sort of thing to happen to anyone else, especially not my Koko's crew!!!

[dnalex 13,633]

I'm so sorry you had to experience this, but I am in full support of your message.

Not only do algicides not helpful, they can cause catastrophic issues.

[GoldenSpoiledRotten 6,786]

My condolences on your losses.

Algaecide is a terrible product.

[cmclien 655]

Thats really a horrible experience for you. It baffles me how some companies can sell these products claiming they won't hurt fish. I don't understand

[manadesmalice 5]

Thank y'all. It should be taken off the shelves, in my opinion. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen so long as it makes money.

[DieselPlower 2,123]

I have used it a few times before I knew what I was doing. The product does not kill the fish. The rapid die off of the algae creates an oxygen shortage which can kill things. If you want to use it, add air at the same time.

[fishy 54]

I am sorry for the horrific experience you went through. I'm glad you shared the information and a safe solution for algae problems.

[yafashelli 9,540]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Flipper 13,057]

Oh NO! what a terrible loss! I'm very sorry

Thanks for sharing! I'll never buy a algaecide

[Justin 383]

Once as a newbie I added an algae removal product. Thankfully nothing happened. I'm sure it would have, had I dosed more than once. Thank you for sharing. I knew adding unnecessary chemicals is not good, but I didn't realize how catastrophic they could be. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and I'm sorry for your losses.

[Daniel 5,668]

This is why a lot of people, myself included, don't recommend algaecides. A black out works rather well, as does spot Flourish Excel dosing, hydrogen peroxide or if you have co2, properly calibrating it.

I'm sorry you had to go through this several times.

[manadesmalice 5]

From now on, I'll ONLY do a blackout and water changes. I don't mind algea on the sides of the tank, because my ramshorns have a heyday with it. But I've only had the massive algea bloom with the green water twice - and both times algeacide had less than ideal outcomes!

[jmetzger72 6,976]

I've had success in reducing algae by shortening my photoperiod (tank lights) to about 8 hours a day. The rest is just elbow grease!

Edited February 14, 2014 by jmetzger72