Algone - a few words about it

melev

melev

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Jimmy from Big Fish Aquatics sold me Algone to lower nitrates.

So here is a little more information about Algone. It is some type of mystery product that will clear aquarium water if it is cloudy for some reason. That is how it is advertised, but I don't know personally if that is actually the case. I bought it solely to lower nitrates, as Jimmy told me he's been using it on his heavy-feeders (tanks he services) and had great results. Be sure to ask him in his forum what it costs. Now since I don't actually know my true nitrate readings, this may be an effort in futility, but I'll get another test kit in the near future to make a further comparison to my current nitrate kit.

So here's the stuff. Note the small pillow in the foreground. It is quite thin actually, and there are six of these in a box.

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This pillow has been inbetween the baffles of my sump where it would get the most flow and water contact. It was very fat/dense when I removed it, and covered with pods and baby brittle starfish. Those were tossed in the refugium. I decided to cut it open and see what was inside.
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It didn't have much of a smell to it, but it did look like mud or manure.
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Cutting the pouch, the material was actually pretty strong. I don't think you'd have to worry about it tearing or leaking into your system.
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I really can't identify a single thing in the pouch.
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This picture was taken without the flash to stay closer to its true color.
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A tank under 400g only needs to use 2 pouches, and I've been using 3 for the past week, and will use 3 more this week. Next week I hope to get an accurate nitrate reading, and see where things stand.

In the meantime, I have to imagine the water quality is far better than in the past, with ceriths laying eggs, clownfish producing a clutch of eggs every two weeks, a baby suncoral appearing recently and so on. I'm not seeing coral recession any longer, and if anything it looks like the SPS is beginning to rebound finally.

My next webpage will probably be one about water testing & kits, and the one after that about chemical solutions to problems we encounter.
 
I think I tried that stuff back in the late 90's, and figured it was bogus...

Of course, that was before I even HAD a Nitrate test kit, so I'll be very curious as to how the water actually tests...

If they really work, I might hafta try 'em again, not that I KNOW what my Nitrate level is! :)
 
I am currently running my own little test as well and have noticed some drop. All though not completely sure if it can be attributed to the partial water change or not.

I noticed my Nitrates were between 15 and 20, leaning towrds 20. Did a water change. Test showed to be about the same. Maybe a little less. I have run two pouches (I know 1 is enough) in my 150 for 3 days now. The nitrates measured 10 this weekend. Since this thread got started I will post updated numbers on Wed. after the 5 course of treatment.

So far ... all though skeptical ... I think they may be working.
 
We started using Algone (got from Jimmy) back when we had the 125g, not RR, and were having problems with nitrates. We continue to use Algone when we upgraded to the 190 RR - do not have or haven't had any problems (knock on wood :lol: )
 
If I ever get a new nitrate test kit, I'll be able to post my results as well.
 
Hmmmmm......I smell a science fair project :idea: I'll have to see if I can get a kid to do it, otherwise I might just do one myself.

I've also been using it - especially when they do their "Buy 2, Get 1" specials, and have noticed a drop in my tank at home, though never documented it. I'll have to try it here at school and monitor it more closely.

Maybe those of us using it can post our numbers and see if there's a trend - don't forget to note the gallons and number of pouches used, as well as for how long.
 
Is there any where locally where we can get this stuff? I had my water parameters checked this weekend at Fish Paradise and was told that my nitrates where on the high side! :shock: I did a 10% water change out of my 55, but haven't retested.

Hopefully this stuff will help it out further! :lol:
 
Jimmy from Big Fish Aquatics apparently has it. Petland Lewisville has it.

All though it looks to me the best deal would be via the AlGone site. It is on sales and free shipping if you order over 20$.
 
The Algone does not work as fast at bringing it down like AZNO3 or such. I have had a tank go from over 100 to <10ppm, but it took 8 weeks. It works best when put in every two week to keep the NO3 low. It has saved me hundreds of gallons in extra water changes over the last two years. The product has been around 10 years.
I will post pricing and a special for the meeting tomorrow in my forum.
 
Well I have completed the 5 days of treatment. Keep in mind I used 2 pouches on a 150 RR.

Today my readings are < 5.

I think I will put 1 new pouch in for another 5 days and see if I can not hit 0.

Pretty cool! I am sold. Now if I can just get my Alk/PH to stabilize it will be great. This a sump/refug will help fix that.
 
I might as well update this thread with the latest. I'm still using my flakey Nitrate test kit that I don't believe, but after using this product for about two months, it appears to have made a dent in the nitrate level.

Short history: NO3 was less than 5ppm for the past year, then I got a new kit that stated it was 75ppm! I have to pick up my new kit tomorrow, but using the new kit, it appears to be down to 15ppm (if those numbers are even right. :roll: )

Jimmy stated that you have to leave it floating in the sump for 14 days, and after that pull it out. I've left them in longer than that, which he says can be negative and possibly release stuff back out of them. Each pillow treats 200g of water.

Coralline is growing in my tank finally, and this stuff has been in it the whole time. So I see no negatives or anything to fear. All my livestock continues to be happy.
 
Hey folks...
Just a little FYI on Algone and the miracles it performs.....

If you have been using it and like I, notice a kind of clear slime forming on the outside of the pouch... Guess what! It's carbohydrates!
And I'm sure if you stick your sniffer anywhere in the vicinity you'll think someone shoved one of those tiny " smelling salts " packets like they use on knocked-out fighters IN your nose.... Again, caused by more carbohydrates.

I called them today because I was curious as to what was happening to the packets each week to make them so retched and their one word answer is Carbohydrates..

Now you know.

Mike
 
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