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View Full Version : Algizit,(Germany) algae eliminator--does it affect water condition?


May 21st 05, 08:12 AM
I have a package of "Algizit" (product of Tetra Gmbh, Germany), with
instructions in 4 languages, (but not English)

It is supposed to be harmless to plants, etc.
Does it affect the water condition?

Dr Engelbert Buxbaum
May 24th 05, 08:36 PM
wrote:

> I have a package of "Algizit" (product of Tetra Gmbh, Germany), with
> instructions in 4 languages, (but not English)
>
> It is supposed to be harmless to plants, etc.
> Does it affect the water condition?

Not if you don't put it into the water ;-)

Algae blooms are a symptom, not a disease. If your algae get out of hand
you should ask why, rather than taking desperate measures like adding
algicides or placing the tank into the dark. For as long s the disease
isn't cured, the symptoms will return.

Have you analysed your water? What are the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and
phosphate values? Those act as fertilizers.

How big is your tank, and how many fish are in there? As a rule of thumb
you should have at least 2 l of water per cm of fish length (1 gal per
inch for the old-fashioned).

Are you overfeeding? Feed only enough so that all food is devoured
within a min or two.

Do you make regular water changes (20% every week)?

Do you keep life plants in the tank, which compete with the algae for
nutrients? Is there enough light for the plants to grow, and are the
plants fertilised (if conditions get poor, algae take the edge over
higher plants).

Do you have some bottom-dwelling, algae eating fish like _Ancistrus_ or
_Corydoras_ to keep your tank clean? Snails can also help a little.

Note also that algae are a natural part of a well-balanced tank, which
is a biological entity, not a sterile operating theater. They just
should not grow out of hand.