Hi all,
When I was surfing the net looking for solutions to my pea soup problem, I ran across the website for Algone. Looks like its a biological medium for filtering/dealing with algae.

The testimonials are glowing (as usual) but I was wondering if anyone here had used it and what results they got.

Incidentally, I've resisted the urge to dose my tank with chemicals. I've reduced the period of time the tank is lit and persisted with 25% daily water changes. It seems to be working although the tank is still a little cloudy.

I have used it, but I don't share the same sentiments as those claims on their website.

Personally I think water change is still the best to bring down nitrate problem.

get a UV clarifier. It will take care of the pea soup problem along with about 95% of the nasties that can infect your precious fish.

A UV Sterilizer would definitely clear up your "pea soup", but you need to address the problems with your water that are causing it.

A high nitrate level in your tank water could be causing this problem, and the frequent water changes you're doing should bring the level back down to the 20 ppm that's recommended, unless you're overfeeding, something has died in your tank, or you're not vacuuming your gravel.

If frequent water changes don't take care of your "pea soup" problem, have your tap water checked for nitrates and phosphates.

If your tap water contains either nitrates or phosphates, water changes are just adding more of these chemicals and you might have to use a product like Nitra-Zorb or Phos-Zorb to help control the problem.

Rick

I have used it, and the one thing I can say is that, since it isn't a chemical, at least it does no harm. A UV sterilizer, if you could afford it and had the right sort of setup for it, would do more positive good, but algone can be helpful. I think it's basically barley straw, and it will reduce nitrates in your water, but it's not a cure-all. You still have to do frequent water changes, filter maintenance, and for the first month or two you have to change the algone packs frequently - maybe every week or two. After a couple of months, in my experience, you will see a difference, though not a dramatic one. If you do have nitrates and/or phosphates in your water, you will need something like this, and I prefer algone to the other pillows - it works just as well and I don't believe there are any negative side effects.

I guess you could call this a modified rave. It's a pretty good product, but not a cure-all (and I dont' like the way it smells!)